‘Significant’ storm to hammer millions in WA and bring icy weather to NSW, Victoria and SA

A major storm system bearing down on millions of Western Australians on Saturday is bringing cyclone-strength winds, and is set to deliver a “wintry blast” to the east of the country early next week. Residents across WA’s populated south-west were warned to tie down loose items and prepare for destructive wind gusts that could exceed 125km/h from Saturday evening. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that along with the damaging winds could come thunderstorms, heavy downpours, flash flooding, damaging surf and a risk of tornadoes. Wind gusts higher than 125km/h are typically associated with category two cyclones. While early winter storm systems are not new for the region, Daniel Hayes at the bureau warned “this one looks quite significant”. A deep low pressure system – where air is rising – was moving towards the WA coastline on Saturday and was dragging tropical moisture with it to bring heavy downpours and strong winds. A bureau warning covering the entire south-west of WA was in place on Saturday morning. Residents were told to prepare properties and tie down any loose items. Six-hourly rainfall totals of up to 60mm were predicted in central west areas of the region from late Saturday until early on Sunday. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The entire south-west coastline was also under a warning for abnormally high tides and damaging surf. From Sunday morning, low-lying areas could see flooding and residents were warned to stay away from surf and exposed areas. …