Australia Weather News

Major Perth events, including Carols by Candlelight and A Day on the Green, have been cancelled as a severe and unseasonable storm approaches the city.

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) duty forecaster Pete Clegg said it was not a usual type of summer storm, with the wild weather expected to be more like a damaging winter system.

"This is certainly not a typical weather pattern for this time of year, it's an unusual situation," he said.

The brunt of the storm is expected to make landfall between Margaret River and Albany mid-afternoon before tracking up the coast towards Perth, bringing winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour.

The rain halted play in the third Ashes Test at the WACA on Sunday evening.

Event organisers rush to remove staging

General manager of Variety WA Phil Croot said organisers had no choice but to cancel Carols by Candlelight this year with conditions making it impossible for the event to proceed.

"We are so disappointed and know there will be lots of families feeling the same, but safety is our number one priority for everyone," he said.

Mr Croot said 25,000 people were expected to attend the event and organisers were now racing to pull down the stage before the winds tore through the city.

He said the turn of events was unexpected.

"We plan around sunscreen and shade and how to mitigate for people getting overheated — that's what we do in December in Perth, not what to do when we get rained out and have lightning and a potential surge across the river," he said.

"Unfortunately we're not in the position of being able to postpone because we've put up-front costs into the structure that's already set up down there at Langley Park.

"It's not possible to extend that to tomorrow night as a not-for-profit we're just unable to sink another whole second round of costs into setting up another performance."

A number of smaller, but similar Christmas events across Perth and in other parts of the state have also been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the sold-out A Day on the Green concert at Kings Park has also been cancelled due to the severe weather warning.

John Farnham was the headline act, with Mondo Rock, Kate Ceberano and the Badloves also due to perform.

Organisers say the cancellation was made in the interest of public safety, and the event has been rescheduled for February 4, 2018.

Refunds would be available for those unable to attend on the new date.

Residents urged to make storm preparations

Emergency Services are asking people to prepare for the wild weather by tying down any loose furniture and making sure their animals are safe.

Those camping this weekend have been asked to find shelter away from any trees and powerlines that could blow over, and streams or rivers that could flood.

Thunderstorms could bring some light hail, but BOM expected the damaging winds to be the main concern.

A massive swell is expected to create dangerous surf conditions and possible significant beach erosion, while extra-high tides may flood low-lying coastal areas on Sunday night.

Mr Clegg said the storm would begin to ease on Monday in time for the start of play in the final day of the third Ashes Test.

"Tomorrow the worst of it starts to clear away during the morning, but there could still be the occasional shower around so there could be the odd stoppage," he said.

Mr Clegg said the long-range forecast indicated fine conditions for Christmas day.

"Into the early parts of next week it looks like it should be clear as well, it's still a little way out but it's not looking like we'll have a damp Christmas."