Wet, windy weather warning for weekend

The Bureau of Meteorology and Department of Fire and Emergency Services have warned South West residents to brace themselves for more of the wet and windy weather that has battered the region for much of the month.

A low pressure system dropped 8mm of rain on to Bunbury in just 15 minutes early Monday afternoon and the city faced wind gusts up to 61kmh that night.

A similar front will hit the South West tomorrow with an even stronger storm expected on Sunday.

Bureau meteorologist Patrick Ward said the absence of a high pressure system over the interior of WA meant there was nothing to divert cold fronts to the south.

“Since the start of September up until now and continuing on for at least the next week the whole south of the State has been in the line of a westerly airflow,” he said.

“That’s brought in a number of cold fronts, some of which have been quite significant, and is the reason behind the windy weather and heavy rainfall.”

“September is usually the wettest spring month but some regions have already had well over their average monthly rainfall.”

Bunbury has recorded 112.2mm of rain this month, well above the 80mm long-term average, and is on track to record its wettest September in more than 40 years.

“The bureau is predicting up to 45mm of rain in Bunbury this weekend,” Bureau of Meteorology climate and weather informationofficer John Relf said.

“This means the city may well record it wettest September since 1971 when it had 156.8mm.”

The SES has not responded to any calls for help in Greater Bunbury this week but Department of Fire and Emergency Services district manager for Murray, Chris Widmer said volunteers were ready for a rough weekend.

“However, it is easier to prevent a situation than respond to one so we’re urging the community to prepare itself,” Mr Widmer said.