WA weather: Perth pummelled by rain as severe warning issued

A severe weather warning is in place for Western Australia’s southwest with forecasts of heavy rain and damaging winds.

The Bureau of Meteorology says a low-pressure system and an associated series of troughs will move across the region on Monday afternoon.

The system will bring widespread damaging winds with gusts of up to 120 km/h possible.

Perth woke to heavy rain and thunder and lightning across the metropolitan area — with warnings of massive wind gusts causing havoc.

Locations that may be affected Monday include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Geraldton, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Moora, Narrogin, Northam, Mount Barker and Perth.

Heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is also forecast for locations south of Jurien Bay, extending from the coast to the Darling Scarp.

Falls of up to 70 millimetres are possible with Perth tipped to have up to 60 mm.

The bureau says gusty winds across the metropolitan area will make driving conditions dangerous.

It says WA’s southeast experience systems as strong as this about five times each year.

Perth was hampered by multiple traffic incidents Monday morning, causing delays for peak hour traffic.