Irena Ceranic

Residents along Pilbara's coast are being warned to prepare for heavy rain and destructive winds from Friday, as Western Australia's first cyclone of the season bears down.

The Bureau of Meteorology reveals 2020 was Western Australia's second-hottest year on record, trailing behind only 2019, and the fourth-hottest for the country as a whole.

An unusually strong cold front cements November as Perth’s wettest on record and its coolest in 12 years, delivering showers, blustery winds and icy conditions to start the week.

There's a high chance La Nina will form this year, bringing more rainfall to Australia during the warmer months. But if past events are anything to go by, it means little for Western Australia's south-west.

Western Australia posts its warmest winter on record, largely driven by a hot spell and new temperature highs in the north, as statewide rainfall drops 46 per cent below the winter average.

As Perth emerges from yet another winter with well below-average rainfall, experts are warning WA's winemaking industry is one of many at risk from climate change — but they say it's not too late to take action.

WA records its warmest start to winter on record while Perth records its equal-hottest June — two degrees above average — with below-average rainfall to boot.

A succession of three cold fronts will strike south-western parts of WA from Friday evening, bringing squally winds, thunderstorms and heavy rain — with each system increasing in severity.

Cloud spotting is enjoying a renaissance as aficionados laud clouds as "a moment or meteorological mediation" that can provide reassurance in troubled times.

WA's recording breaking April heat is set to give way to a chilly May, with strong cold fronts set to bring rain and squally storms to south-western parts of the state.