Perth is not expected to get a direct cyclone “hit”, but severe weather from Cyclone Narelle is forecast to affect Perth mainly from Friday through the weekend, with the heaviest rain and impacts on Friday and Saturday.

Quick Scoop

What the latest forecasts say

  • Tropical Cyclone Narelle is a powerful Category 4 system threatening WA’s Pilbara and Gascoyne coast, with towns like Exmouth and Carnarvon bracing for direct impact.
  • Forecast tracks now suggest Perth is unlikely to take a direct eye-wall landfall; the system should weaken to a tropical low or pass offshore by the time it’s near the southwest.
  • Even without a direct strike, Perth is expected to see heavy rain bands and possible damaging winds as the cyclone or its remnants move south.

In forum-style discussions and news updates, the theme is: “not a direct hit, but a serious soaking and flooding risk for Perth over a couple of days.”

When will Perth feel it?

  • Rain in Perth is projected to start on Friday , increasing as Narelle’s moisture feeds into frontal systems over the southwest.
  • The main impact window for Perth is Friday and Saturday , with widespread showers, heavier rain bands, and gusty conditions.
  • Some forecasts flag continued showers into Sunday , though by then the core system should be weaker and further away.

How intense could it be in Perth?

  • Perth could see 20–50 mm of rain each day on Friday and Saturday , with some suburbs and the Hills potentially pushing 60–80 mm or more.
  • That’s several times the usual March rainfall and may challenge long-standing records, especially after a very dry summer.
  • Authorities warn about flash flooding, road hazards and rising river levels , including flood watch alerts for catchments such as the Swan River.

Is Perth “getting hit” by the cyclone?

  • Current guidance says Perth sits west or south of the cyclone’s main track , so the city is more likely to see “ex-cyclone” conditions: heavy rain, possible damaging winds, and coastal hazards rather than a direct cyclone landfall.
  • Meteorologists emphasize that wind risk is lower than the rainfall/flooding risk for the metropolitan area, though strong gusts are still possible, especially in the Hills and exposed suburbs.

Simple prep checklist for Perth

  • Secure loose items outdoors (furniture, bins, tools) ahead of Friday.
  • Avoid driving through flooded roads; check local road and public transport updates before travel.
  • Follow real-time updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and WA emergency services for any changes to the track or new warnings.

TL;DR: The cyclone itself is not expected to slam directly into Perth, but cyclone-driven rain and possible damaging winds are due mainly on Friday and Saturday, with lingering showers into Sunday , so treat this as a serious wet-weather and flooding event rather than a classic eye-wall landfall.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.