Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Damaging Winds, Large Hailstones And Heavy Rainfall

for South West, Great Southern and parts of Goldfields, Lower West, South Coastal, South East Coastal and Central Wheat Belt districts.

Issued at 7:02 am Thursday, 4 March 2021.

Severe thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall, with a chance of damaging winds and large hailstones.

Weather Situation
At 6:40 am WST radar and satellite imagery showed areas of active thunderstorms across the South West Capes and in the western Great Southern district, moving south.
DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE HAILSTONES and HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Goldfields, Lower West, South West, South Coastal, South East Coastal, Great Southern and Central Wheat Belt
Throughout the warning area severe thunderstorms are likely to produce HEAVY RAINFALL that may lead to DANGEROUS FLASH FLOODING, whilst thunderstorms over central and eastern parts of the warning area may also produce DAMAGING WINDS.
Thunderstorms are likely to redevelop through the remainder of the Great Southern and southern parts of the Central Wheat Belt later this morning or during Thursday afternoon and move south into eastern parts of the South Coastal district and the South East Coastal district, with a risk of DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES from these thunderstorms.
Locations which may be affected include Busselton, Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Narrogin, Norseman and Northam.
Storms may cause DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY.
Since 9:00 am Wednesday morning the following rainfall totals have been recorded:
- Eneabba: 112mm
- Canterbury: 85.6mm
- Toodyay East: 67.2mm
- Wilyabrup reported 37.4mm in the hour to 6:00am WST Thursday.

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 10:05 am.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and Department of Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Western Australia

Initial Minor Flood Warning For The Avon River
Issued at 11:59 AM WST on Wednesday 03 March 2021
Flood Watch Number: 1

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE IN THE AVON RIVER FROM BEVERLEY TO NORTHAM ON THURSDAY
An area of isolated storms is extending from Dalwallinu to Wongan Hills and moving south. Storms could be more intense than usual, with rainfall rates that are higher than typically seen at this time of year.
Widespread rainfall totals of around 20 - 55 mm have been recorded in the Avon River catchment in the 24 hours to 9:00 am Wednesday.
Rainfall totals of 20 -50 mm with isolated falls of 70 - 100 mm are forecast for the remainder of Wednesday over the Avon river catchment. Totals of 30 - 40 mm with isolated falls of 40 - 50 mm are forecast for Thursday.
With recent heavy rainfall and forecast rainfall, significant river rises and areas of flooding which may adversely affect road conditions are expected to develop from Wednesday in the Avon River catchment. River rises and areas of flooding which may adversely affect road condition are possible from Wednesday into Thursday.

Avon River from Beverley to Northam:
Minor flooding may occur along the Avon River from Beverley to Northam.
The Avon River at Balladong Street York is currently at 0.09 metres and rising.
The Avon River at Balladong Street York may reach the minor flood level (2.50 m) during Thursday.

The Avon River at Northam Weir is currently at 0.05 metres and rising.
The Avon River at Northam Weir may reach the minor flood level (1.50 m) during Thursday.

Flood Safety Advice:
DFES advises people and communities to be aware that flooding is possible and be prepared to relocate equipment and livestock. Watch water levels. Travellers need to be aware that road conditions may be adversely affected and travel plans may need to be reconsidered. Do not drive into water of unknown depth and velocity.}
Community information is available from DFES at www.dfes.wa.gov.au
Current river levels are available from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at www.water.wa.gov.au

Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 11:00 am WST on Thursday 04 March 2021.

Latest River Heights:
Yilgarn River at Gairders Crossing,0.29,Steady,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Lockhart River at Kwolyn Hill,0.19,Steady,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Yenyening Lakes at Qualandary Crossing,-0.16,Steady,10:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Avon River at Beverley Bridge,-0.38,Steady,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Dale River at Waterhatch Bridge,-0.11,Steady,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Avon River at York,0.09,Steady,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Avon River at Northam Weir,0.05,Rising,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Mortlock River North at Frenches,0.74,Rising,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Mortlock River at Odriscolls Farm,0.45,Steady,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21
Avon River at Toodyay,0.80,Steady,11:00 AM WED 03/03/21

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 210. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/wa/forecasts.