Perth residents have awoken to a humid and drizzly morning as ex-tropical cyclone Mitchell continues its inland trajectory across Western Australia. The weather system, which crossed the Gascoyne coast east of Shark Bay in the early hours of Tuesday, has triggered a severe weather warning for multiple regions.
Rainfall Records and Regional Impacts
The Bureau of Meteorology downgraded Mitchell to an ex-tropical cyclone overnight, but its effects remain significant. Gascoyne Junction recorded an impressive 132 millimetres of rain since 9am on Monday, while Shark Bay Airport received 104.2 millimetres over the past 48 hours.
Several locations in the south-west Gascoyne region continue to experience heavy rainfall. Bullardoo, Greenough River, and Pindarring Rocks have all reported substantial precipitation, with Pindarring Rocks measuring 41.8 millimetres in just the last two hours.
Severe Weather Warning Details
A severe weather warning has been officially issued for the central Wheatbelt and parts of the Gascoyne and Central West regions. The warning anticipates heavy to locally intense rainfall between 25 and 50 millimetres, which could potentially lead to dangerous flash flooding situations.
Additionally, a cyclone advice warning remains active for Shark Bay and Denham, including the popular tourist destination Monkey Mia, though authorities report the threat level has been reduced.
Flood Warnings and River Conditions
The weather system has prompted flood warnings across the state. A minor flood warning has been issued for the Fitzroy River at Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley region. Smaller river rises have also been observed along the Moore River, indicating widespread hydrological impacts.
Perth's Weather Outlook
According to Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Grace Abbott, the ex-tropical cyclone is moving in a south-easterly direction and will gradually decay in strength. This means the Perth metropolitan area will largely avoid the worst of the weather system.
"Perth is in the periphery of a cloud band that is extending off ex-tropical cyclone Mitchell, and we have seen some showers this morning," Abbott explained. "That is expected to clear off gradually into this afternoon, though it will remain quite muggy throughout today."
The city recorded just 2.2 millimetres of rain in the last 24 hours, with conditions expected to improve significantly from Wednesday onward.
Forecast for the Coming Week
Weather conditions are set to return to Perth's characteristic dry heat pattern for the remainder of the week. Abbott confirmed that relative humidity will decrease as the system moves away from the metropolitan area.
"From tomorrow, we're going to start to gradually dry out so that relative humidity will dry out as well," she said. "It's sunny all throughout the forecast through to Monday, sitting between 28 to 30 degrees Celsius maximum."
Detailed Perth Weather Forecast
- Tuesday: Rain, maximum of 25 degrees
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, 17 to 30 degrees
- Thursday: Sunny, 14 to 29 degrees
- Friday: Sunny, 16 to 30 degrees
- Saturday: Sunny, 19 to 30 degrees
- Sunday: Sunny, 18 to 29 degrees
- Monday: Sunny, 17 to 28 degrees
The weather system continues to be monitored closely as it moves across Western Australia, with authorities urging residents in affected regions to stay informed about changing conditions.
