Ex-cyclone heads west but WA set to swelter some more

Ex-Cyclone Lincoln is drifting towards Western Australia but heatwave conditions and fire risks will remain for several days in the West, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Very hot conditions continue across much of WA, with most parts of the state reaching the low to mid-40s on Sunday and this will continue over the coming days.

Monday is forecast to reach a high of 42 degrees, only dropping to a maximum of 39 on Tuesday.

Severe to locally extreme heatwaves are developing, with both day and night temperatures well above average.

“The main driver of this heat is a west coast trough, dragging hot, dry north-easterly winds toward the coast from inland Australia. This is combining with weeks of sunny weather, allowing heat to build uninterrupted by any cold front to flush it out with cooler air,” BoM said in a statement.

“Dangerous fire weather conditions are being generated by this hot, dry, and at times, windy weather.

“High to extreme fire dangers are forecast across much of western and southern Western Australia over the coming days, with Tuesday being a peak day – much of the South West Land Division will reach extreme fire dangers.”

In the north, ex-cyclone Lincoln is tracking from the Gulf of Carpentaria across central NT and will continue to deliver strong winds and heavy rain to already-soaked areas of the Top End.

Lincoln could redevelop into a cyclone off the north-west coast of WA midway through the week, the bureau said on Sunday.

It warned of heavy, locally intense rainfall and damaging wind gusts extending west throughout the day.

The tropical low is expected to reach the Kimberley by Monday.

“Relief will arrive in south-west WA around midweek, as a front sweeps across the coast and drops temperatures back below average. Above average temperatures will persist inland,” BoM said.

-with AAP