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Record run of late-season warmth in Perth

Ben Domensino, Thursday May 17, 2018 - 10:53 AEST

Perth is likely to break a late-season warmth record today as the city continues it's unseasonably long run of dry and sunny days.

May is typically a time of year when Perth starts to see cold fronts bring more frequent rain and cooler days. The city usually records rainfall on about 12-14 days each May, while the average maximum temperature is 21-22 degrees at this time of year.

This May, Perth has only received rain on three of the last 16 days and the running average maximum temperature is close to 25 degrees.

The recent warm and dry weather has been caused by slow-moving high pressure systems to the south of Western Australia.

These dominant highs block strong cold fronts from reaching the state's southwest, while also causing prevalent northeasterly winds to transport warm inland air towards the city.

As of Wednesday, Perth had registered eight consecutive days above 24 degrees, which is the longest spell this warm, this close to the start of winter, since 1985. In that year, Perth saw eight consecutive days above 24 degrees up to May 24th.

Today's forecast top of 26 degrees puts Perth on track to register nine straight days above 24 degrees, which would be a new record for the city this late in the 'warm season.'

Looking ahead, the city is forecast to reach 25 degrees or more until at least next Tuesday, which would extend the record run of days above 24 degrees this close to winter to 15 in a row.

Perth's longest run of days over 24 degrees at any point during May was 11 days in 1962, which is also likely to be broken on Sunday.

- Weatherzone

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