Overview
- Severe and extreme heatwave warnings cover large areas of WA, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting maximums from the high 30s to mid 40s and potential high 40s to near 50°C in the Pilbara and Gascoyne.
- Shark Bay airport hit 49.2°C on Tuesday, setting a local January record, and residents reported unofficial readings above 50°C near Marble Bar that are not from official stations.
- Perth is forecast to reach about 39–40°C on Tuesday and Wednesday, with hazy conditions caused by an overnight temperature inversion trapping smoke from south-coast bushfires before clearing after sunrise.
- Fire weather warnings are in place for the Midwest, with Geraldton forecast to peak near 46°C and authorities citing extreme fire danger driven by hot, dry conditions and northeasterly winds.
- The WA government launched TeleRedi for phone-based welfare checks by the Australian Red Cross, mining operators reiterated heat protocols for workers, and forecasters expect a cool change by Friday with heat likely to shift east later in the week.