Perth Bracing for Unprecedented March Heatwave, First in 40 Years

Perth is facing an unusual heatwave, projected to last five days with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, a rare occurrence for March. A tropical low off the WA coast may develop into a cyclone, though it is unlikely to impact mainland Australia.

Perth is preparing for an unprecedented hot spell this March, marking the first such event in four decades. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted that the maximum temperature in the city will exceed 35 degrees Celsius for the next five consecutive days. This exceptional weather is attributed to an unusual autumn heatwave affecting Perth and various coastal communities in Western Australia.

The heatwave is projected to extend from Exmouth in the north to Esperance in the south over the next three days, with parts of the Gascoyne region also facing extreme conditions. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecaster, Jessica Lingard, noted that this weather pattern resembles the heat experienced on March 25, 1985, when Perth recorded similar high temperatures.

While such warm temperatures are not entirely unprecedented for late March, the forecast indicates four consecutive days exceeding 37 degrees Celsius and five days above 35 degrees Celsius, which is unusual. Ms. Lingard has advised the community, particularly those vulnerable to heat, to take necessary precautions and stay safe during this period of extreme heat.

Additionally, a tropical low has developed off Western Australia’s north-west coast, which may evolve into a tropical cyclone named Courtney. However, forecasts suggest that it will remain off the mainland, tracking westward towards the south of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands without affecting the Australian coastline directly.

In conclusion, Perth is set to experience an extraordinary heatwave this March, with temperatures projected to remain above 35 degrees Celsius for five days, an occurrence not seen in forty years. Community members are urged to remain cautious and protect themselves against the heat. Furthermore, awareness of a potential cyclone developing off the coast adds to the region’s climatic challenges.

Original Source: www.abc.net.au