Hot, wet summer forecast
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The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a hot wet start to summer with both rainfall and temperatures expected to be above average in Perth.
Temperatures in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the Indian Ocean are giving rise to ocean patterns that will affect the climate in the Mid-West as far south as Perth.
A longer than usual period of showery weather over the past three months on the west coast has raised dam storage levels to their highest point at the end of September so far this century.
Total storage has reached almost 43% of capacity. Further rain may well take the total storage in metropolitan dams up to near 50% before the end of the year.
Serpentine dam near Jarrahdale has a total capacity of 138GL and is now holding the most water at 52.6GL or 38% of total capacity. Rainfall at the Serpentine dam this year is already 50mm (2 inches) above the annual average with over a metre of raining falling by mid-September.
South Dandalup Dam which also has a capacity of 138GL is currently at 45.2% of capacity. Serpentine and South Dandalup are the two largest storage dams supplying water to Perth.
Unfortunately the trade off will certainly be increased fire risks and extreme fire hazard days. Property owners should start pruning and cleaning up now to ensure their safety in the dangerous days ahead.
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