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A POWERFUL rain band dumped heavy falls in the Pilbara — including 71mm in Karratha — while a severe weather warning remains in place for the south coast of WA, with 100km/h winds possible.
Roebourne had more than 42mm and there were widespread falls across the Pilbara of 35mm or more.
In the south of the state a strong cold front dumped steady rain on most of the South West and metropolitan area, with Swanbourne recording 28mm to 6am Tuesday, Perth 19mm and Gingin, 80km northeast of the city, 23mm.
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READ NOWIn the South West, Witchcliffe has had just over 30mm and Shannon 25mm, while Bridgetown had 20mm.
The Bureau of Meteorology radar showed heavy rain and a “squally thunderstorm” hit WA’s coast from Yanchep to Bunbury from about 7pm Monday.
COUPLE RESCUED FROM FLOODED RIVER
A couple, both in their 20s, was rescued after spending eight hours stranded in a broken down dinghy in a flooded river in the Pilbara.
The couple, who did not have an EPIRB or emergency beacon were found by a Sea Rescue group after making a call for help on a mobile phone.
The pair were rescued from the Balla Balla River, near Whim Creek in the far north of WA, midway between Karratha and Port Hedland.
Authorities were unable to reach the stranded pair due to flooded roads after heavy rain across the region.
MORE WINTRY WEATHER TUESDAY
More thunderstorms are forecast for Tuesday in the morning and afternoon.
Perth could also see gusty winds and hail with a wintry maximum temperature of 15C.
Widespread damaging winds are forecast for the Great Southern region, in exposed coastal locations from Albany to Gnowangerup to Salmon Gums to Esperance.
A Severe Weather warning remains in place for the South Coast and south east coastal districts and there is a sheep weather warning for much of the south of the state warning that rain and extreme cold could cause severe sheep losses.
Perth is expecting a wintry top of just 15C and 5mm-15mm of rain expected from morning through till early afternoon.
A blanket of cold air has engulfed the south of the state in the wake of the cold front with overnight temperatures tipped to drop to 4C on Thursday morning.
Temperatures across the South West and Great Southern are freezing with Manjimup and Boyup Brook expecting a chilly 10C maximum, along with Mt Barker, Gnowangerup and Jerramungup, with the possibility of snow on the Stirling Ranges overnight.
Damaging winds of up to 100km/h are expected to hit between Albany and Esperance amid the risk of floods in southern coastal areas.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services say residents in the area bounded by Albany and Esperance — but not including those towns — should prepare for bad weather on Tuesday.
Winds of up to 100km/h may damage homes and property, while higher than normal tides could cause flooding of low-lying coastal areas, the Bureau of Meteorology warns.
THOUSANDS BRAVE WET FOR WA DAY
Thousands braved the weather on Monday for WA Day celebrations across Perth.
About 15,000 people headed down to Elizabeth Quay to check out the entertainment and free music festival, the State of The Art.
There were still about 10,000 people later in the evening waiting for headline acts San Cisco and Jebediah despite the imminent downpour.
The cold front delivered good rains throughout the agricultural area, with Kalbarri in the Central West recording 39mm, Nambung station 38mm, Jurien Bay 35mm and most centres around 20mm or more.
In the Central Wheatbelt, Mt Hardy had 12mm, Northam 11mm, Wongan Hills and Happy Valley 10mm.
In the South West, Witchcliffe got 31mm, Shannon 25mm, Cowaramup and Bridgetown 20mm.
In the Great Southern, falls were lighter with Chamingup getting 12mm, Brookton 9mm and most areas receiving 5-10mm.
In the north, Karratha topped the state with 71mm, Pardoo Station 46mm, Weelarrana 47mm and Roebourne, 42mm, recorded the heaviest falls.
In the Interior, Warburton, 1500km northeast of Perth, had 19mm.
STATE FORECAST
NORTHERN WA
A rain band extends from the northwest to the southeast of the State and will slowly move east during today and clear on Wednesday. A strong high pressure system will develop to the south on Thursday and Friday
SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL WA
A rain band over central and southeastern parts will clear eastwards during today. A cold front is moving across the southern half during today bringing a cold change to a large portion of the State. A low pressure system will develop off the south coast today, increasing winds over southern coastal parts.
TUESDAY FORECAST
Showers, isolated thunderstorms, possible small hail and cold conditions extending across the southwestern half of the State during the day with very windy conditions near the south coast. Areas of rain over the eastern Pilbara, southwest Kimberley, the Interior and eastern Eucla, with heavy falls possible over the eastern Interior.
SHEEP WARNING
Sheep Graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showery and windy conditions are expected From late Monday afternoon in the South West. There is a high risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
PERTH: THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday: Showers, isolated thunderstorms, possible small hail and cold conditions extending across the southwestern half of the State during the day with very windy conditions near the south coast. Areas of rain over the eastern Pilbara, southwest Kimberley and the Interior with heavy falls possible over the eastern Interior.
Tuesday: Min 7C Max 15C, Showers. Possible storm. Possible rainfall: 5-15mm
Wednesday: Min 6C Max 16C Cloudy.
Thursday: Min 4C Max 17C, Showers developing.
Friday Min 11C Max 19C, Shower or two.
Saturday: Min 9C Max 20C, Partly cloud
Sunday: Min 10C Max 20C, Partly cloud
Monday: Min 10C Max 22C, Partly cloud