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Cold blast bearing down on southwest WA

Guy Dixon, Sunday August 7, 2016 - 16:28 AEST

Parts of WA are staring down the barrel of perhaps the coldest day in over a decade and the coldest August day in 50 years.

A strong cold front is on track to sweep over southwestern parts of WA tonight and tomorrow leading blustery conditions, with the potential for the coldest day in 13 years in parts.

This system is the second and stronger of two cold fronts to pass over southwestern parts of the state within 24 hours or so and is likely to limit day-time warming significantly.

Eneabba should only warm to about 14 degrees during the 'heat' of the day, which would make it the coldest day in 13 years. Should it fail to reach 14 degrees, it will go down as the coldest day since 1992 when it maxed out at just 12.5 degrees.

Similarly, Margaret River, Pingelly and Donnybrook all have potential to see their coldest day since 2004.

When considering these temperatures for the time of year, the dates are equally impressive.

Northam has the potential to see the coldest August day in 52 years, but for this to happen the temperature must stay below 11.8 degrees. Similarly, Pearce may have its coldest August day since 1969 but it needs to remain below 12.5 degrees.

Next in line is Wagin which would see their chilliest August day since 1973 if the temperature fails to exceed 10.2 degrees.

Regardless, much of southwestern WA will be forced to rug up with cloud, showers and increased winds making it feel significantly colder throughout the day, particularly close to the coast where a number of warnings are current.

A gale warning is in place along the Bunbury Geographe Coast, Leeuwin Coast, Albany Coast and Esperance Coast for Monday. The strongest winds look to occur late this evening across the South West and South Coastal districts where a severe weather warning is in place for damaging winds. Gusts up to 100km/h are a chance across exposed parts of the coast.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2016

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