Unprecedented hailstorm and severe weather disrupt WA’s Midwest, Wheatbelt, and Goldfields

Consensus Summary

A rare and severe hailstorm struck Western Australia’s Midwest, Wheatbelt, and Goldfields on Tuesday, blanketing the outback in hail and leaving parts of the landscape resembling a winter wonderland. Both ABC and THEWEST report that Mount Magnet was hardest hit, with 30 millimetres of rain falling in just 30 minutes and wind gusts reaching 85km/h. The storm disrupted power supplies, cutting off electricity to about 15,000 homes and businesses across Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Merredin, and Kondinin due to a fault in a 600-kilometre feeder line. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the storms were triggered by tropical moisture combining with a low-pressure trough, leading to intense and slow-moving weather systems.

The unusual weather followed a heatwave in the Kimberley and Pilbara, where temperatures soared to 47.1 degrees in Fitzroy Crossing and 47.4 degrees in Mandora last Wednesday. ABC notes that these extreme conditions have since eased, with widespread cloud cover and cooler winds reducing temperatures by five to eight degrees below average for this time of year. The storms also brought significant rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 50mm while others recorded as little as 5mm, disrupting agricultural work in regions like Ogilvie, 60km from Geraldton.

Local residents and farmers shared striking accounts of the storm’s impact. Kez Mac, a station caretaker near Mount Magnet, described the hail as covering the ground like snow, while gold prospector Ray Attard captured footage of the hailstorm, exclaiming, 'Snow, hail... yes, that’s ice out there... 35 degrees.' Farmers like Harrison Pluschke halted harvest work due to the sudden downpour, with Pluschke noting that the wet conditions had persisted over the past weeks. The Bureau of Meteorology’s Dean Narramore highlighted the storm’s intensity, stating that the multi-day system was unusual for the region.

While both outlets agree on the storm’s severity and its immediate effects, their coverage diverges in emphasis. ABC provides broader context, linking the storm to recent heatwave records and its impact on agriculture, while THEWEST focuses more on the visual spectacle and the prospector’s firsthand account. ABC also mentions the Pilbara’s involvement, whereas THEWEST’s report is centered on Mt Magnet and the Goldfields. Additionally, ABC details the power outages and their scale, whereas THEWEST does not address this aspect.

The outlook remains uncertain, with both sources indicating that further storms are expected across WA and the Northern Territory. ABC suggests that hit-and-miss storms will persist in inland areas, while THEWEST forecasts potentially severe conditions on Wednesday. The unusual weather pattern has left farmers and residents grappling with disrupted harvests and recovery efforts, though the easing of heatwave conditions may provide some relief in the coming days.