Weather News

Perth: the city that summer didn't forget

There's a good reason that Perth's Big Bash cricket team is called the Scorchers.

While large parts of Australia's east, and especially the southeast, have been having a mild summer, the Perth Metro weather station just had its second warmest December on record, followed by its fourth warmest January on record.

February is also well on track to exceed the average, with things really set to sizzle this week. From today through to Sunday, the forecast maximum temperatures are 38°C, 38°C, 33°C, 36°C, 36°C, 36°C and 36°C.

Image: Another beautiful day in paradise. Source: Pixabay.

That's six days over 35°C within a week, and if those forecasts prove accurate, it will make it 28 days over 35°C this summer, and counting.

• By contrast, Sydney's hottest day to date this February has been 33.2°C, and there has only been one day above 35°C all summer.
• Melbourne, too, is yet to see a 35-degree day this February and has seen just three days at or above 35°C in the 2020/2021 summer.

So why the heat in the west?

"We have seen unusually high atmospheric pressure lingering to the south of WA during the last couple of months," Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino explains.

"This abnormal pressure pattern has allowed northerly winds to transport hot air towards southwestern Australia more frequently than an average summer. Unfortunately it has also been keeping Perth and surrounding areas very dry."

Needless to say, this week's Perth heat will be accompanied by dry weather and plenty of sunshine. Fortunately, the West Australian capital did receive a good soaking of around 40 mm across the metro area two weeks ago.

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