Extensive parts of WA’s west, south and remote interior have been impacted by thunderstorm, lightning and heavy rainfall over the past few days.

Nearly 300,000 lightning strikes detected across WA

Weatherzone’s Total Lightning Network (TLN) detected over 288,000 lightning strikes above Western Australia between Wednesday and Sunday, August 26-30, 2026.

Image: Weatherzone’s Total Lightning Network detected nearly 300,000 lightning strikes across WA between Wednesday and Sunday, August 26-30, 2026. Source: Weatherzone.

This extensive lightning and thunderstorm activity has been triggered by a broad low pressure trough extending over the state, supported by a slow-moving upper-level low pressure system increasing instability over the last few days.

Video: Satellite imagery, radar and lightning detected across WA between Thursday and Sunday, August 27-30, 2026. Source: Weatherzone.

As seen in the video above, thunderstorm and lightning activity was most intense on Friday and Saturday, with over 121,000 and 103,000 lightning strikes recorded each day, respectively. Across that 48-hour period, 78% of the nearly 300,000 lightning strikes were detected.

Widespread healthy rainfall spreads across agricultural lands

Along with prolific wintertime lightning activity, this system tapped into a deep moisture source and drenched the landscape across the South West Land Division of WA, including key agricultural lands.

Image: Estimated 4-day rainfall across WA since Wednesday morning, August 26, 2026. Source: Weatherzone.

Widespread falls of 20-40mm have been registered over the past 4 days, extending as far north as Geraldton, south to Albany and Esperance, and inland across the Goldfields. Agricultural lands of the Central Wheat Belt and Great Southern regions also received more intense rainfall of 50-100mm over the last few days.