Severe heat and heatwaves for Western Australia

Australian Community Media

High temperatures and cyclonic conditions set to hit parts of Western Australia.

Transcript

00:00Severe tropical cyclone Sean. Currently a Category 3 system is impacting parts of

00:06the Pilbara Coast with damaging winds and heavy rainfall and we can see that

00:10clearly here on the radar image with widespread heavy rain and thunderstorm

00:14activity along parts of the Pilbara Coast and we can also see the eye of the

00:19cyclone well off the coast and that's continuing to track towards the west

00:23southwest but many of the Pilbara Coast overnight and earlier this morning saw

00:27widespread heavy rainfall and damaging winds we can see that on our

00:31observations with many areas experiencing winds in excess of 100

00:35kilometers an hour that includes around the Karratha area where we saw gut winds

00:39gusting to 107 kilometers an hour last night but we also saw very heavy rainfall

00:44there as well with a fall of 270 millimeters in the 24 hours to 9 a.m.

00:50Western Standard Time but we also saw widespread 50 to 150 millimeter falls as

00:55well through parts of the Pilbara Coast and that's been leading to flash flash

00:59and isolated river flooding as well but what is a cyclone doing right now well

01:04we currently have a Category 3 system sitting off the coast and cyclone

01:08warnings are current between Mardi and Ningaloo and that does include the

01:12communities of Exmouth and Onslow and we expect it to continue moving towards the

01:17west southwest possibly intensifying into a Category 4 system as we get into

01:21overnight hours before weakening again as we move into day on Tuesday but note

01:26it is well away from the WA coast and we should see conditions easing tonight but

01:32we still have to get through the late morning and afternoon period this

01:35afternoon and this evening so what does that look like in more detail well we're

01:39still likely to see widespread rain and thunderstorm activity continuing to

01:43stream on the coast as it all wraps around the cyclone offshore but as we

01:47move into the afternoon evening hours we should see a slow contraction of this

01:51weather towards the west clearing from the east and slowly contracting towards

01:56the Capes as we move into Monday night and Tuesday morning and while it might

02:00be an intense Category 4 system off the coast conditions will be easing along

02:04coastal areas but still windy with gusty winds and also showers and

02:08thunderstorms likely but then as we move into Tuesday night conditions should

02:12really start easing through northwestern parts of WA but the cyclone will

02:16continue to remain well off the WA coast. Now we're also likely to see an

02:21additional 50 to 100 millimetres through those coastal areas of the Pilbara with

02:25isolated falls in excess of 100 millimetres possible particularly about

02:29some of our offshore islands and around the northwest Cape and because of that

02:34we could also have flood watches current that means if you live in these

02:38highlighted areas particularly on coastal areas additional forecast

02:41rainfall could lead to flash and riverine flooding. So quickly to

02:46reiterate cyclone warnings current from Mardi to Ningaloo including the

02:50communities of Exmouth and Onslow for heavy rainfall and damaging winds that

02:54could bring down trees and power lines and rainfall could lead to flash and

02:58riverine flooding and possible inundation of homes properties and

03:01businesses. So if you live in this highlighted area or know someone that

03:04does make sure you stay up to date the latest forecasts and warnings by our

03:08website app and social media and listen to all and any advice from your local

03:13emergency services.

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