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Summer scorcher: Perth to hit 38 degrees on Australia Day public holiday

Madeleine CrossThe West Australian
VideoThe temperature is set to soar in Perth on Monday with a top of 38 degrees forecast

Western Australia has been warming up over the long weekend - and today’s public holiday is set to hit a scorching 38 degrees in Perth.

People celebrating the Australia Day long weekend on Monday are being urged to stay hydrated, as the UV rating is expected to hit an “extreme” 13.

Cancer Council Australia CEO Professor Sanchia Aranda said people need to be aware of the UV rating more than the heat.

“Any time the UV is 3 or above you should be using all five forms of sun protection,” she said.

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“Public holidays are a time when young families spend a lot of time outside - so make sure you’re paying attention to the kids and giving them heaps of sun protection.”

Beach-goers were seen flocking to Perth shores this morning, including Angie Heath and her family who were planning to spend the whole day by the water in City Beach.

“Grandma makes lamingtons every Australia Day, so we roped the whole family to come down to the beach, have lamingtons and a swim,” she said.

Total fire bans are in place across the city and the State due to these very hot and sunny conditions.

The bans have been declared for areas including Armadale, Chittering, Gingin, Gosnells, Kalamunda, Mundaring, Serpentine, Toodyay and Swan with more fire bans extending up to Coral Bay.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Max Strack said temperatures in the State could hit up to 48 degrees today.

“We’ve got extremely hot conditions through WA today with temperatures in the 40s across the State,” she said.

“With those really hot temperatures and winds tomorrow we’ll have some fairly bad fire conditions.”

Ms Strack said the fire bans were likely to continue until Wednesday.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, these hot temperatures in Perth are between six to 10 degrees above January’s average.

Temperatures are set to stay warm with 33 degrees expected for Tuesday, before cooling off with 27 predicted for Wednesday and 23 for Thursday.

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