State braces for extreme heatwave, 50C

Western Australians are being warned to find ways to avoid extreme heat over the weekend, as some parts of the state are forecast to reach up to 50 degrees.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued an extreme heatwave warning for the Pilbara and Gascoyne Districts, with temperatures set to soar to record levels between Friday and Monday.

A severe heatwave warning for was also issued for the Goldfields, North Interior and South Interior Districts.

“Maximum temperatures generally in the mid-40s, reaching the high 40s over parts of the western Pilbara and adjacent northern Gascoyne by the weekend,” the BOM forecast.

“Overnight minimum temperatures ranging from the high 20s to the low 30s.

“Extreme heatwave conditions building over the western Pilbara and adjacent northern Gascoyne will extend into parts of the Goldfields and South Interior districts over coming days before gradually easing next week.

“Severe heatwave conditions increasing in extent over central and northwest parts of the state over the weekend and lingering into next week.”

The BOM said the extreme heatwave was the result of a broad trough over inland the Pilbara and the Kimberley.

“A tropical low over inland parts of the Northern Territory may move closer to the WA/NT border during the weekend,” it said.

It comes as about 15,000 homes and businesses in Merredin, Kellerberrin, and Kalgoorlie have been left in the dark after Tuesday’s storms, with authorities warning the outage could last up to seven days.

Western Power stated it had restored about 10,000 homes and businesses on Thursday night and will keep customers informed about restoration times as soon.

The incident comes as temperatures are tipped to reach 41C in the coming days.

“We still have considerable work to do to restore the remaining customers,” the company stated on Friday.

“We understand the frustration and inconvenience the current power outages are causing and appreciate the community’s patience.

“Full customer restoration is taking time due to the extensive damage and we are prioritising critical services infrastructure in collaboration with State Government agencies including health, water, and Police.

“The 220KV transmission line that supplies Kalgoorlie sustained significant damage from the storm front and there are five transmission towers down with repairs to these expected to take some time.”

The energy provider stated back up generators had been installed in a bid to assist some customers.

“Western Power engineering teams have successfully been able to supply customers in the meantime via the undamaged section of the 220KV line via the 132KV network,” the company stated.

“Synergy has conducted repairs on the gas turbine generator in West Kalgoorlie, which now can be used to supply back-up generation.”

WA Premier Roger Cook urged those residents affected to keep an eye on their neighbours in the coming days, as temperatures are forecast to swelter to 41 degrees on Sunday.

“Major hospitals are operational, and police and emergency services are upping patrols,” Mr Cook wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

“The Kalgoorlie Police Station is open to the public 24/7.

“To those in affected communities – we are doing everything we can to bring power back as quickly as possible.

“Please check on each other, especially vulnerable neighbours and members of your community, and take care.”