Climate scientist says WA in grip of 'significant' autumn heat event with temperatures well above averageBy Blake KagiABC Radio PerthTopic:Weather3h ago3 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 2:39amPerth is expected to enjoy temperatures in the high 20s for the remainder of the week. (ABC News: Julian Robins)In short: Perth and a number of regional areas in WA have had unseasonably warm temperatures during May. While the impact is not like a summer heatwave, an expert from the University of Melbourne has described it as a "significant heat event".What's next:Perth is expecting maximum temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius for the next seven days. abc.net.au/news/perth-autumn-weather-significant-heat-event/105281498Link copiedShareShare articleA climate scientist from a leading Australian university has warned the unseasonably warm May weather in Western Australia and across the nation is a sign of things to come, because of the damage caused by climate change.Perth has had maximum temperatures in the low 30s and high 20s for much of May, and the forecast is for maximums above 25 degrees Celsius to continue over the next seven days.A number of regional areas have had unseasonably warm weather, with some experiencing dry spells as well."In places in WA we've seen max temps around eight to 10 degrees above normal in the last few days with this more recent spell of heat," said Dr Andrew King from the University of Melbourne.Andrew King says man-made emissions are to blame for our warmer autumns. (Supplied)"So we're talking about a significant heat event, obviously without the same kind of really big impacts compared to a heatwave at the peak of summer," he told ABC Radio Perth."But still a concerning sign when things really should be starting to cool down properly by now."Perth would usually be moving into cooler weather by now. (ABC News: Benjamin Gubana)Perth 7-day forecastDayMaxMinMon27 Tue2613Wed2612Thu2612Fri2712Sat2713Sun2712Autumns getting warmer, drierDr King says it was part of a concerning trend across all months of the year."We know our autumns are getting warmer, and indeed WA had its warmest March on record this year due to human-caused climate change," he told ABC Radio Perth.The warm temperatures expected in Perth this week are unseasonal. (ABC News: David Weber)"So we should be expecting a continued trend towards warmer autumns, and we know that southern Western Australia has quite a clear drying trend as well which we expect to continue over the coming decades."Any given autumn can be different from the trend but this general pattern we expect to become more common."Warm autumn forecast for WAPhoto shows Members of the public at a crowded beach during sunset.After a scorching summer and record-breaking temperatures in 2024, Western Australia is set for another warmer-than-usual autumn.Dr King said the trend was already having significant impact on the state's marine life, and that was set to continue."Generally having higher temperatures stressed coral and increases the likelihood of bleaching and even coral mortality," he said."The marine heatwave around the north west coast of Australia has been particularly extreme in the last couple of months."He suggested the warmer weather had been caused by the impact of man-made emissions."It's very clear when we look at weather station data over the last 100 or 150 years that there's a very clear trend towards higher temperatures, including in the autumn," Dr Kind said.The beach could still be an option for many seeking to stay cool during the daytime this week. (ABC News: Kenith Png)"It's not exactly the same as it would've been if we hadn't been emitting greenhouse gases."LoadingPosted 3h ago3 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 2:39am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 4:22amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesNationals vow to give 'stability and strength' to the Coalition after Littleproud re-electedLIVEPhoto shows David Littleproud, flanked by Kevin Hogan and Bridget McKenzieRowland to become attorney-general on Albanese's new-look frontbenchTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Anthony Albanese waves inside parliament house.One child is slapped, another vomits metal hooks: Inside an Australian childcare giantTopic:Child CarePhoto shows A still from a Snapchat video shows a baby on a bouncer crying.Is Chalmers prepared to follow Keating into the 'slaying' business?AAnalysis by Alan KohlerPhoto shows Jim Chalmers walks into QT smiling.Australian bomb disposal worker killed in UkraineTopic:Unrest, Conflict and WarPhoto shows ukrainelandminesRelated storiesWarm with a higher bushfire risk: how autumn's looking for WATopic:WeatherPhoto shows Members of the public at a crowded beach during sunset.'Extreme heat': Unusual March hot spell not seen in 40 years grips PerthTopic:WeatherPhoto shows People and pets cool down at the beach during a February heat wave in Perth.Temperature records broken across WA as sinkhole emerges amid wild weatherTopic:Weather StatisticsPhoto shows Members of the public at a crowded beach during sunset.Related topicsPerthWeatherWeather ForecastsTop StoriesNationals vow to give 'stability and strength' to the Coalition after Littleproud re-electedTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows David Littleproud, flanked by Kevin Hogan and Bridget McKenzieRowland to become attorney-general on Albanese's new-look frontbenchTopic:ElectionsOne child is slapped, another vomits metal hooks: Inside an Australian childcare giantTopic:Child CareIs Chalmers prepared to follow Keating into the 'slaying' business?AAnalysis by Alan KohlerAustralian bomb disposal worker killed in UkraineTopic:Unrest, Conflict and WarJust InUkrainian ambassador visits regional cafe that put tariffs on US goodsTopic:Small Businesses19m ago19 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 6:00amLittleproud remains as Nationals leader, seeing off Canavan challengeTopic:Federal Government9m ago9 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 6:10am'Oblivious': This operator says light rail assistance is little helpTopic:State and Territory Government10m ago10 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 6:10amVandals damage culturally significant waterfalls loved by touristsTopic:Vandalism45m ago45 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 5:34amMore Just InBack to top