WA and Perth weather: Powerful winter blast brings gale warnings, snow and sheep graziers alerts

A powerful burst of winter weather is sweeping southern Australia, bringing gale-force winds, rough seas, and icy temperatures that have triggered alerts for sheep graziers and bushwalkers across several states.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a string of gale and strong wind warnings for coastal waters in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and NSW, with conditions expected to remain hazardous through to Tuesday night.

Gale warnings are in place for parts of the East Gippsland Coast in Victoria, the Eden Coast in NSW, and Tasmania’s entire eastern seaboard, including the east of Flinders Island and South East Coast.

Strong wind warnings are also current for dozens of other coastal zones, including Perth, Albany, Esperance, the Gippsland region, and southern Tasmania.

Warnings have been reissued for some areas, like Victoria’s West Coast, as the next cold front approaches.

Farmers are also being urged to take precautions as bitterly cold conditions continue to bite. The bureau has reissued sheep graziers’ warnings for parts of Victoria, Tasmania and NSW, citing a risk of livestock losses due to a combination of cold temperatures, showers and blustery winds.

Affected regions include West and South Gippsland in Victoria, the Upper Derwent Valley in Tasmania, and the Snowy Mountains, ACT, and Tablelands regions in NSW.

“Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers and westerly winds are expected. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions,” the bureau said in its warning.

Snow could also fall to as low as 500m in Tasmania’s western forecast district on Tuesday, prompting a bushwalker alert for hazardous alpine conditions.

Walkers are urged to prepare for sudden changes in weather and potentially dangerous hiking conditions.

The brunt of this system is expected to move eastwards over the next 24 to 48 hours, keeping wind warnings in place for large stretches of coastline into Tuesday.

The cold blast comes as alpine resorts enjoy one of the best snow seasons in recent years.

As of Friday, snow depth at Spencers Creek was sitting at 135cm, surpassing the 2023 peak of 131cm.

Falls Creek measured 93cm, and other Victorian resorts like Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Mt Baw Baw are also tracking close to last year’s levels.

A strong, moisture-laden front earlier in the season helped lay the foundations, with frequent snow-bearing systems and consistently cold air preventing major melts.

The timing couldn’t be better for school holiday crowds, with blue skies and thick natural cover delivering a near-perfect mid-July weekend.

PERTH’S WEEKLY FORECAST:

TUESDAY: 18C, showers

WEDNESDAY: 18C, showers

THURSDAY: 19C, showers

FRIDAY: 19C, showers

SATURDAY: 18C, showers

SUNDAY: 17C, showers