Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Western Australia TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Damaging Winds, Large Hailstones And Heavy Rainfall for parts of Goldfields, Central Wheat Belt, Gascoyne and South Interior districts. Issued at 4:33 pm Thursday, 2 April 2026. Severe thunderstorms continuing about southern central WA. Weather Situation A trough is combining with a moist and unstable airmass to trigger severe thunderstorms. Clusters of severe of thunderstorms are generally moving to the east-southeast and are likely to persist throughout the afternoon and into the evening. DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE HAILSTONES and HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas: Gascoyne, Goldfields, South Interior and Central Wheat Belt Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Kalgoorlie, Laverton, Leinster, Leonora, Menzies and Kambalda. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should: * If outside find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams. * Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows. * Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is lightning. * If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home. * If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water. * Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current. * Slow down and turn your headlights on. * Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris. * If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears. The next warning is due to be issued by 7:35 pm. Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and Department of Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.