Perth records coldest morning in 15 years as most of Australia prepares for weekend drenching

An Australian capital city has recorded its coldest morning in more than a decade, with temperatures close to freezing.

Perth has shivered through its coldest morning in more than a decade, with temperatures only just above freezing.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the Perth weather station at Mt Lawley recorded a low of 0.3C at 6.55am, the coldest day since July 2010.

“A chilly start to the day with more than 3/4 of the State experiencing a temperature below 10°C this morning,” the bureau posted on social media.

“Cool maximum temperatures are expected today for much of the State (except the Kimberley).”

The coldest day on record in the western capital was -0.7C on June 17, 2006.

Meanwhile, millions of Australians are set for a total soaking with extensive rain and damaging winds forecast to smash almost every state in the country this weekend.

Bureau meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said on Friday morning a strong cold front was barrelling through the southern region of the country into the north and east, with a “broad cloud band” ushering in lashings of rain, damaging winds and teeth-chattering temperatures.

Almost every state will be set for a soaking over the weekend. Picture: Weatherzone

Severe weather warnings have been issued for multiple states and territories across the nation, including parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Victoria.

“That’s every state in the country, except for Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory,” she said.

A warning has been issued for southeastern Western Australia, with wind speeds expected to reach 100km/h in Eucla, Eyre, Forrest, Rawlinna and Cocklebiddy.

Residents in South Australia, particularly in the West Coast, Flinders, Mid North, North West Pastoral and parts of Mount Lofty Ranges, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, North East Pastoral and Murraylands districts, are warned “vigorous” wind gusts in excess of 90km/h are forecast for Friday.

This warning has spread to Victoria, with a strong northerly flow smashing the Central, East Gippsland, South West, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera regions.

“Anywhere these damaging winds develop, we may see the risk of trees and tree limbs being brought down, dangerous driving conditions, damage to property and cars, and even possible power outages,” she said.

Damaging winds are barrelling across the country. Picture: Windy

On Thursday afternoon, Ms Bradbury said a“broad reaching rain band” was moving across the country, with “damaging winds likely for some parts of Australia over the coming days”.

“Fairly widespread moderate rainfall totals across much of Australia over the coming days as this rain system moves eastwards,” she said.

“But the area I really want to focus on is this area in the southeast, including parts of South Australia, western Victoria and inland NSW.

“These areas have seen significant rainfall deficits over the past six, 12, even 18 months.

“The rain that we’re expecting over the coming days is not going to do too much to dent these long term deficits, but it is going to be good news for many of our communities through these very dry parts of Australia. However, it’s not without its own hazards.”

Ms Bradbury warned 20 to 40mm was expected for many areas through South Australia and western Victoria with roads at risk of flooding.

“This could lead to very dangerous driving conditions, as those roads grow slippery with the rain and visibility reduces as well.

“The other key impact we’re expecting as this system moves across the country are the damaging winds.

“We’ve already issued severe weather warnings for damaging winds across four separate states of Australia.

A cold front and low pressure system is currently making its way across the country. Picture: WeatherZone

Ms Bradbury said that the risk of damaging winds was mainly focused on Friday but the south coast of Western Australia could see some damaging gusts through Thursday evening.

“So what’s driving all of this wet and windy weather? The answer to that is a cold front,” she said.

“It crossed the west coast yesterday, bringing some fairly significant thunderstorms to the Perth area and it’s now moving across those inland parts of Western Australia, directing a broad rain band across much of WA.

“The system is attached to a low pressure system sitting to the south of the continent, and that low is going to help push this cold front and the rain band eastwards over the next few days.”

Heading into Friday the cold front is predicted to pull the rain band eastwards and introduce rain across eastern parts of South Australia, Western Victoria, NSW and southern parts of Queensland.

“The rain will be widespread, soaking and lasting for a number of hours. Unlike the patchier showers we’re expecting to pull up behind that frontal system.

“The winds are also expected to really increase through the course of (Friday).

“That band of strong winds shifts into the eastern states late Friday into Saturday as the front pushes eastwards and we see those strong winds moving across the east coast through the course of Saturday before the system gradually starts to move offshore and the winds start to ease.”

The system is expected to move across the east coast through Saturday. Picture: Weatherzone

Ms Bradbury advised keeping on top of all warnings and updates especially for the areas most in the firing line around eastern South Australia, Victoria and inland NSW.

“Friday and Saturday are definitely looking likely to be the wettest days as this system moves across the country.”

Outside of the cold front, Darwin remains clear with light winds and highs of 31 and lows of 22 over the weekend.

Brisbane is in for some lingering showers after the weekend before dipping on Tuesday to a minimum of 9C.

Melbourne and Sydney will likewise experience scattered showers with temperatures expected to be within the normal range for this time of year.

After the weekend soaking Adelaide is expected to remain cloudy with north-easterly winds of around 20km/h.

Originally published as Perth records coldest morning in 15 years as most of Australia prepares for weekend drenching