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Perth weather: Cool change on way for metro area after heat records tumble

Staff writersThe West Australian
Anna Eisenhauer, Bett Craig, Alison Farmer and Pip Hawson, all from the Claremont Masters Swimming Club. Christmas Day 2020 at Cottesloe Beach.
Camera IconAnna Eisenhauer, Bett Craig, Alison Farmer and Pip Hawson, all from the Claremont Masters Swimming Club. Christmas Day 2020 at Cottesloe Beach. Credit: Danella Bevis/The West Australian

Weather records tumbled on Christmas Day across the State, but a ‘cool’ change is on the way.

Perth reached a scorching 42.8C on December 25, making it the hottest Christmas Day on record.

And records were broken from Kalbarri to Rottnest Island, and everywhere in between.

Geraldton Airport reached a dangerous 47.3C – the sites hottest day ever. The mercury got to 46C in Jurien Bay – also the sites warmest day on record.

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Perth is still in the throes of an extreme heatwave, with 39C predicted for Tuesday.

But the metro area is set for a “cool change” as a surface trough moves inland from Wednesday evening.

Wednesday is still expected to be 38C, but the temperature is set to drop to 32C on Thursday.

“We’ll be back to normal December conditions by then,” Noel Puzey, Duty Forecaster at the Bureau f Meteorology said.

Total fire bans have been declared across a huge area of WA stretching from Carnarvon to Waroona and including Perth and Mandurah.

This means outdoor activities, including barbecuing and mowing the lawn are limited.

During a total fire ban infringements apply for using a barbecue, pizza oven or spit-style rotisserie which burns solid fuel in open air. This includes wood fire ovens or stoves, and kettle barbecues.

Undercover areas such as patios, pergolas and huts which are open or partially open to the weather are deemed to be in the open air.

Despite the heatwave, St John Ambulance has not transported any patients suffering from heatstroke.

PERTH FORECAST (source: BoM)

Monday: 40C, very hot and partly cloudy

Tuesday: 39C, very hot and sunny

Wednesday: 38C, sunny

Thursday: 32C, mostly sunny

New Year’s Eve: 33C, mostly sunny

New Year’s Day: 33C, mostly sunny

Sunday: 34, sunny

What you CAN’T do during a total fire ban:

  • Use a barbecue, pizza oven or spit-style rotisserie which burns solid fuel
  • Use a lawnmower that requires fuel
  • Have a campfire, bonfire or light a fire for warmth
  • Light a fire in your backyard
  • Use an angle grinder, welder, charring, soldering or gas cutting tool
  • Drive a vehicle where the vehicle will be in contact with vegetation

What you CAN do during a total fire ban:

  • Use a gas or electrical barbecue
  • Use electrical or battery operated tools, including a lawnmower
  • Barbecue in park (if it is electrical or gas)

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