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Vigorous cold front to snap record warmth in southwest WA Southwest WA lashed by wild weather overnight

Southwestern parts of Western Australia copped it all last night, as wild winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms and bushfires lashed the region due to a vigorous cold front.

Unseasonably warm conditions during much of Thursday quickly deteriorated as the front hit the west coast during the late afternoon and early evening before spreading rapidly east overnight.

Numerous fires were already burning across the state, however things quickly got out of control as strong winds (which were strongest just ahead of and on the frontal boundary) caused a number of these fires (including private burns) to move erratically spread rapidly. The strongest wind gusts reported included 113km/h at Cape Naturaliste and Gnowangerup and 102km/h at Albany Airport.

The winds were strong enough that numerous spot fires were caused, with embers reported to have carried as much as 1.5km away from the main fires. Other blazes were sparked due to lightning strikes.

Heavy rainfall significantly helped firefighters in more coastal areas, where widespread falls of 20-to-50mm were recorded. Some areas were lucky to receive even more, with Acton Park receiving 94mm, Vasse 81mm and Busselton Airport 67mm.

A low pressure system will continue to cause wild winds and showers across the region today, with conditions expected to be at their worst this afternoon and evening. Wind gusts of 90-100km/h are possible, with potential for localised gusts in excess of 125km/h in coastal parts between Bunbury and Walpole.

Images: (a) Wind gusts and pressure chart for southwest Western Australia on Friday 25 May (Source: Windy.com) (b) Rainfall totals recorded to 9am Friday 25 May (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

Wind gusts and pressure chart for southwest Western Australia on Friday 25 MayRainfall totals recorded to 9am Friday 25 Ma

 

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