SW set to sizzle

The South West can expect a hot weekend as temperatures are set to rise above 35C – much warmer than the average for the month.

The maximum predicted for Saturday is 36C and Sunday is likely to be only marginally cooler at 35C.

The temperature is not expected to drop below 18C for the 48-hour period.

Bureau of Meteorology WA Region media and communications manager Neil Bennett said the rise in temperature was expected as we get closer to February.

“The winds are shifting out and starting to be more easterly due to a trough lying on the west coast closer to the weekend which drags warmer air to the coast, ” he said.

“Temperatures will drop slightly by Monday due to a sea breeze which will be a south easterly in the morning before turning to a south westerly in the afternoon.”