The weather is causing major issues for commuters this morning, with trains on multiple lines at a standstill.
Passengers on the Yanchep line have said they were told by their train driver that the rain and lightning was “wreaking havoc on the network”.
Others are being told to disembark from the carriages.
And trains on the Mandurah Line have been cancelled between Elizabeth Quay and Aubin Grove due to a technical issue, according to Transperth.
“Train replacement buses are running between Elizabeth Quay and Aubin Grove. Please allow extra travelling time and be aware that replacement buses may not connect with timetabled bus and train services,” a statement reads.
“Trains will continue to run between Perth Underground and Elizabeth Quay, and between Aubin Grove and Mandurah.”
Freeway traffic is also heavy, with drivers urged to use caution on the roads.
After a day of extreme heat and sun, Perth has woken up to thunder and heavy rain.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said that isolated thunderstorms developed through the early hours of Thursday morning off the coast, moving across land and the Perth Metro area around 6am.
As of 8am, Jandakot had recorded the highest rainfall with 0.8 millimetres. The Perth Metro gauge had recorded 0.4 millimetres.
But a deluge of rain, which hit around 8.20am, has bumped those numbers up.
“These storms are being driven by a deepening west coast trough in the vicinity,” the Bureau spokesperson said.
“The slight chance of a passing storm continues today as the trough lingers in the area.
“A top of 29 degrees is forecast for Perth with low intensity heatwaves ongoing in the area. It should be a mostly sunny day overall, with this passing chance of a shower or storm.”
Western Power stated that outages were at a “standard level”, but those on social media have already started posting about pole top fires caused by electricity travelling across poles during light rain, mist, or high humidity.
While many of us here in WA would argue we have all the best beaches in the country, two in particular have been named in the top 10 for 2026.
Pinky Beach, on Rottnest Island has come in at number two whilst Hellfire Bay in Esperance has been listed at number five.
Curated by Tourism Australia Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer AM, the list highlights a diverse mix of world-class coastal destinations.
Farmer said the list this year had a selection of “off-the-beaten-track gems that offer authentic experiences”.
“Whether it’s the remote allure of Beachcomber Cove or Hellfire Bay, these beaches offer a ‘slow-travel’ experience,” he said.
“They are places where you can still hear the wind and the waves rather than the crowds, providing a deep, authentic connection to the land and sea, with many First Nations stories.”
Tourism Australia Managing Director Robin Mack said the list helped drive regional tourism.
“Our beaches are a key part of our international brand, and this year’s study brilliantly showcases the incredible diversity of our coastline and beaches,” Mack said.
“From the stunning sands of Bate Bay in NSW and Pinky Beach in WA to the iconic backdrop of The Nut in Tasmania and Ellery Creek Big Hole in the NT, these locations encourage both Australians and international visitors to explore more of Australia beyond the traditional hotspots.”
For the full list, click here.
Here’s what’s making headlines today:
- Qantas has announced a major change to its popular loyalty program and flagged a job hiring spree for future growth.
- Cuban forces killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-based speedboat that entered Cuban waters on Wednesday and opened fire on a patrol, the Cuban government said at a time of heightened tensions with the United States.
- Dependents of Australian officials posted in Israel and Lebanon have been directed to leave by the federal government, as tensions in the Middle East heighten again.
- Heavily armed police have swooped on properties in Sydney’s north-west, arresting two men and charging them over the alleged kidnapping and murder of elderly widower Chris Baghsarian, who was abducted from his home in a suspected case of mistaken identity.
- The nation’s peak veterans organisation is demanding authorities urgently resolve outstanding war crimes allegations against Australian soldiers who served in Afghanistan, arguing delays are sapping morale and unfairly smearing those who have served in uniform.
Morning all and welcome to Thursday’s live blog.
Making headlines today, and entry-level properties in Perth cost more than twice as much as they did five years ago, with new data revealing first-home buyers should expect to fork out about $780,000 – a figure that represents the largest year-on-year increase in all capital cities.
Domain’s First Home Buyer Report 2026, released on Thursday, shows the average entry-price property increased by more than 22 per cent in the December quarter last year, up from around $639,000 in the previous three-month period of 2024.
For a first-hand recount of what it’s like to be a first-home buyer in today’s market, click here.
And in crime news, police are investigating after a man was found dead on a property in Western Australia’s south last week.
This masthead understands the squad was called in after a man, believed to be in his 30s, was found with a laceration-type wound to his throat just after 6am at a property in Beedelup on Thursday last week.
Stay with us as more news breaks.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
