‘Significant’ storm to hammer millions in WA and bring icy weather to NSW, Victoria and SA

Residents across WA’s south-west were told to prepare for destructive wind gusts from Saturday evening, along with possible thunderstorms, heavy downpours, flash flooding, damaging surf and a risk of tornadoes. Photograph: Bureau of Meteorology via Facebook

A major storm system bearing down on millions of Western Australians on Saturday is bringing cyclone-strength winds, and is set to deliver a “wintry blast” to the east of the country early next week.

Residents across WA’s populated south-west were warned to tie down loose items and prepare for destructive wind gusts that could exceed 125km/h from Saturday evening.