Harsh winds to lash southwest Western Australia

Residents of Western Australia's southwest, including Perth, are urged to prepare for a burst of potentially damaging winds which are due from tomorrow.

Wind is likely to gust 90 to 100 km/h in parts of the Perth area, strong enough to tear branches off trees, even topple some trees and bring down power lines.

The peak winds should be from mid-afternoon to early evening, affecting peak-hour traffic.

Thankfully, the offending low and front should be most intense before getting near southwest WA then weaken and slip south, sparing much of the mainland from the 100 km/h-plus winds likely offshore.

Together with the burst of wind will be showers, generally less than five millimetres worth but potential for 10-to-20mm about the Perth hills and south of the city.