Perth and WA weather: Work sites empty, beaches packed as heatwave grips State

Workers downed tools, families retreated to air-conditioned homes and thousands of cricket fans sweltered as much of WA endured severe temperatures which are set to continue tomorrow.

Perth’s maximum of 39.2C came late in the day, at 4.50pm, just minutes after the Perth Scorchers’ qualifying final against the Sydney Sixers kicked off at Optus Stadium.

Fans at the stadium said the heat was a small price to pay.

“It doesn’t matter what day it is, we’d still be here,” Darren Trudgen said.

“Everything’s provided here, so it’s great. We’re looked after.”

An extreme heatwave in the Gascoyne, which is expected to last until Thursday, saw Shark Bay come close to recording Australia’s first 50C degree day in four years.

The 49.2C maximum at Shark Bay Airport in Denham was a January record, with temperatures in the 40s expected again tomorrow.

It made for an “absolutely magnificent” day on the Denham and Monkey Mia foreshores according to Shark Bay shire president Peter Stubberfield.

“It was one of those days you look across the bay and you couldn’t tell the difference between the sky and the ocean, it was just beautiful,” he said.

A severe heatwave warning is in place for the next two days for residents living in the Kimberley, Pilbara, North Interior and Central and Lower West regions of the State.

Jessica Lingard from the Bureau of Meteorology predicted the 50.7C recorded in Onslow in January 2022 — a record for WA and Australia — could be eclipsed during the heatwave.

“I’m positive we would be close to that 2022 record — unfortunately though, the Bureau doesn’t have the infrastructure through those areas to verify those temperatures.”

While Perth is not forecast to experience a heatwave the city is still expecting a sweltering few days, with a maximum of 40C expected today and 35C forecast for tomorrow.

As the mercury reached a blazing 47.1C in Geraldton, it seemed nothing could lure people out of their air-conditioned workplaces and homes.

The beaches in town and CBD waterpark — usually packed over the summer school holidays — only had a few families and teenagers willing to brave the intense heat.

The blistering peak 47.1C, recorded at 1.18pm, was the city’s equal fourth hottest January day on record and equal eighth hottest overall.

It was only a couple of degrees off the city’s all-time scorching temperature — 49.3C — recorded twice in the past two years, on January 20 last year and February 18, 2024.

Maximum temperatures of 44C and 40C are forecast for Wednesday and Thursday before a cool change arrives on Friday.

In the middle of the day, the outside dining areas of Geraldton’s most frequented cafes and pubs were deserted. At the Freemason Hotel, Craig Holmes was the only one willing to have a beer outside.

“The shade is pretty good,” he said.

“We’re in the country. It’s supposed to be hot.”

Construction manager at building firm GBSC Leon Bone said by lunch time about half of their external workforce had called it a day “because it was too hot for them to do anything”.

Some workers switched to inside work, while others were sent home early.

“If we can find a bit of work in the shade, we keep progressing, other than that it’s go home,” he said.

Mr Bone said working in the heat generally meant planning your day properly, adjusting to the conditions and ensuring workers stayed hydrated and had electrolytes readily available.

In Perth, some construction sites sat empty as the temperature climbed, but many others continued to operate.

After working a full shift on a Trigg building site, plumber Josh Martin ran straight across the road after work and cooled off in the ocean.

“There was just the slightest of breezes, it was almost non-existent. We were in a house so we could go inside and sit in the shade if we needed too, and we were able to get everything done,” he said.

“It was fortunate today (to be working near the beach) and a swim was needed, it was great.”

Tradesman Shane Witham, who owns Western Concrete Resurfacing, was among those who downed tools several hours early on Tuesday.

Much of the equipment he uses, including concrete grinders, feature inbuilt sensors and will automatically shut down when they reach 37C.

“The equipment cuts out, to protect itself, and the chemicals we use, such as concrete sealers, can’t go down when it’s above 35C,” he said.

“It’s something you have to get used to, living in Perth. It often seems to happen towards the end of January, we had a run of days last year where we couldn’t do much after 10am.”

According to the CFMEU, workers covered by a union Enterprise Bargaining Agreement are entitled to stop work for the day when the temperature hits 37.5C.

In WA’s north, mining companies were keeping a close eye on staff as temperatures hovered around the mid 40s in parts of the Pilbara.

Fortescue operates three sites in the Pilbara and temperatures in the pits can reach close to 50C during heatwaves, with plenty of breaks mandated.

Staff are not required to work for extended periods in those conditions, with enforceable breaks where workers can cool down with slushies and icypoles.

BHP mines also have heat procedures in place to support the crew with water stations, rest breaks, shaded areas and adjusted work times to utilise the cooler parts of the day.

Morten Ulltveit-Moe and his children Asta and Storm and Curtin University students Cruz Braddock and Mia Burton were among beachgoers enjoying perfect conditions at Cottesloe.

“There was no wind until 1pm, it was perfect. We will be back there tomorrow,” Mr Braddock said.

The Public Transport Authority has urged train passengers allow extra time to get to their destination, with speed restrictions imposed on parts of the network in case the tracks become distorted.

Transperth reduces train speed by 20km/h when track-level temperatures reach 37C on the Armadale, Fremantle and Midland lines, and sections of the airport and Ellenbrook lines.

Speeds are reduced at 39C on the Thornlie-Cockburn, Mandurah, Ellenbrook and Yanchep lines.

“Restrictions are in line with national and international operating and safety standards,” a PTA spokeswoman said.

“Transperth recommends passengers keep an eye on the weather forecasts during summer and where temperatures are tipped to rise above 37 degrees, allow extra time to reach your destination.”

The WA Health Department warned the hot weather brought an increased risk of deadly amoebic meningitis, and urged West Australians to take precautions around untreated or poorly treated water.

The rare but potentially fatal infection is linked to warm, fresh water sources, which if forced up the nose can cause inflammation in the brain.

WA Health executive director of environmental health Tanya Gillett said the amoeba was present in warm freshwater environments when temperatures exceeded 28C.

“These organisms can occur naturally in lakes, rivers and farm dams, but may also be found in garden hoses, spas, and poorly maintained swimming or wading pools during hot weather,” Ms Gillett said.

“Any warm fresh water should be treated as a potential risk, particularly if water is forced up the nose.”

The RSPCA WA urged pet owners to take extra care of animals in the heat. The charity advises keeping pets indoors, providing plenty of cool water and walking dogs only in the early morning or late evening.

The organisation has already received 193 reports of dogs in hot cars this summer—up from 130 during the same period last year.

PERTH WEATHER FORECAST

• Wednesday: Sunny, 23-40 ☀️
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, 25-35 ⛅️
• Friday: Partly cloudy, 18-24 ⛅️
• Saturday: Sunny, 14-25 ☀️
• Sunday: Shower or two, 17-24 ☔️
• Monday: Partly cloudy, 15-23 ⛅️
• Tuesday: Sunny, 13-28 ☀️

Forecast sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology.