Perth's first 40 degree day in 707 days

Australia’s westernmost capital is in the path of a tongue of hot air snaking down the west coast of WA over the coming days. As a result, temperatures in Perth have climbed to 40.7°C, the first time the city has eclipsed 40 degrees in nearly 2 years. 

 

The trough dragging the intense heat down from the Pilbara to WA’s southwestern districts is lined up in such a way that not only is the hot air making it right down to the southwest but it’s position, currently stretching from the Pilbara across the west coast into the Indian ocean, is serving to prevent the cooling sea breeze from making it across the coast, especially in the southwest. 

 

This leaves the west coast at the mercy of gusty easterly winds, which will only continue to build heat as the day goes on. 

 

 

Sustained winds for 11am AWST Sat 13th 

 

In addition to Perth itself reaching 40 degrees, other parts of the city have sizzled above 40°C as of 2:30pm AWST, including: 

Perth Airport – 41.3°C 

Pearce – 41.2°C  

Millendon (Swan Valley) – 40.5°C  

Jandakot – 40.4°C 

Gooseberry Hill – 40.1°C 

  

The spot where the trough crosses the west coast can be seen in this forecast temperature map below, where the dark red and purple shading makes it to the coast just to the south of Lancelin. This is further illustrated by the temperatures at Lancelin and Yanchep, about 70km to the south. Lancelin, exposed to the cool sea breeze for most of the day has stayed below 30 degrees, with a temperature of 28.5°C at 2pm WST. Meanwhile Yanchep, effectively blocked from the sea breeze by the trough to its west was sweltering at 40.8°C at the same time. 

  

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Image: Forecast maximum temperatures to 8pm Sat 13th for western WA 

  

Nights are only bringing minimal relief at this stage as well, with temperatures likely to hover above 20 degrees for the next several days in addition to daytime maximums continuing to stay in the mid to high 30s. This has prompted a severe heatwave warning to be issued for southwest WA. 

 

In these conditions, it is very important to stay cool, and if outdoors, to keep yourself hydrated. Heatwave conditions are likely to persist for southwest WA until Tuesday, before the trough moves east, allowing cool westerly winds to wash over the region.