Tornadoes possible as 'strong' weather system hits WA

Saturday, 30 May 2026 14:20

An "unusually strong" winter system is set to lash parts of Western Australia over the weekend.

An "unusually strong" weather system which could even bring tornadoes is set to lash parts of Western Australia over the weekend.

The "once-in-five-year" storm is set to bring destructive winds of 125km/h, rainfall totals of about 50mm, up to 8-metre swells and even a chance of tornadoes.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for a large area from about Kalbarri in the north, down south to Margaret River, towards Esperance and out to the south-east coast of the state.

An "unusually strong" winter system is set to lash parts of Western Australia.

The impacted area may expand over the weekend as it's an "evolving weather situation", according to the bureau.

The storm is set to lash Perth with areas of heavy rain arriving later today, which could cause flash flooding.

Meteorologist Ilana Cherny said today the system would bring damaging to destructive wind gusts, heavy falls, very large waves and potentially localised tornadoes.

"The risk of those hazards begins this evening as showers and thunderstorms start to move through," Cherny said.

"Starting from Kalbarri and the central west this evening, extending through the lower west and south-west through the early hours of tomorrow morning.

"The risk of damaging winds will extend further east throughout Sunday."

Cherny said there would be a second burst of "very strong winds" with a risk of locally destructive gusts from about Lancelin to Albany.

"That risk will be for Sunday evening into Monday morning," she said.

Severe thunderstorms could develop through the central west and extending through to the lower west.

"In addition to those winds and rain which we could see with the thunderstorms, we may also see some very localised tornadoes, which if they develop would be very fast-moving and short-lived."

Residents are being advised by authorities to ensure loose objects are either moved inside or locked down to prevent them becoming airborne.

Western Power have cancelled all of their planned outages over the weekend and put crews on standby for potential weather-related outages from downed power lines.

Hillarys Yacht Club has cancelled its junior sailing event as a precaution.

"Our boatswains have their skipper's ticket, and they'll be patrolling the marina and the surrounding clubhouse, just to make sure that everything's secure and there's no damage," Rick Coate from Hillarys Yacht Club told 9News.

The warning for the west coast of Australia comes after the cancellation of a severe storm warning over on the east coast, where heavy rain and storms hammered parts of the country.

The Queensland and NSW coasts, as well as regions further inland, copped a soaking this week, driven by a low-pressure system off the coast.

Falls of up to 80mm were recorded in south-eastern Queensland, and up to 70mm in NSW down to the Central Coast, with the storm warning covering the Mid North Coast, Hunter, North West Slopes and Plains, and Northern Tablelands districts.

Another cold front will approach the south-east of the country today.

As a result, showers will increase for South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and inland parts of New South Wales, with colder southerly winds coming up behind that system.