Perth is preparing for its most intense burst of heat since Christmas, with forecasters predicting a blistering three-day heatwave that will deliver the second 40-degree day of the summer school holidays.
Sweltering Conditions Set to Return
Just as families hoped the worst of the summer heat was behind them, another bout of sweltering weather is on the horizon. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the mercury will climb to 35 degrees Celsius on Monday, before soaring to a scorching 41C on Tuesday. This would make Tuesday Perth's hottest day since the Christmas period.
While a slight cooldown is expected on Wednesday, the relief will be minimal with a top of 39C forecast. A more significant change is due on Thursday, with temperatures predicted to drop by around 10 degrees. The nights will offer little respite, with minimum temperatures not expected to fall below 23C from Tuesday onwards, leading to potentially uncomfortable sleeping conditions across the metropolitan area.
Heatwave Definitions and Warnings
A formal heatwave is defined as three or more consecutive days of maximum temperatures at or above 35 degrees. If Tuesday's 41C prediction is realised, it will mark Perth's fourth day over 40 degrees since last March.
The conditions are forecast to be reminiscent of Christmas Day, when Perth peaked at 42.1C and overnight lows stayed above 24C, making it one of the hottest places on the planet that day and breaking a four-year city record.
While the Bureau has not yet issued a formal heatwave warning for Perth next week, severe warnings are currently active for other parts of the state. A severe heatwave warning remains for the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Southern Interior until Sunday, with the Northern Interior under an extreme heatwave warning.
"Extreme heatwaves can be dangerous for everyone," the Bureau cautioned. "Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell."
Weekend Cool Change Before the Heat
Before the heatwave grips the city, Perth will enjoy a relatively cool weekend. Saturday is forecast to reach a mild 25C, followed by a sunny 28C on Sunday, when the overnight minimum could dip to a fresh 15C.
PERTH WEATHER FORECAST
Saturday: Partly cloudy, 18-25
Sunday: Sunny, 15-28
Monday: Sunny, 18-35
Tuesday: Sunny, 23-41
Wednesday: Sunny, 26-39
Thursday: Mostly sunny, 20-29
Friday: Partly cloudy, 17-26
Forecast sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology.
