WA weather: Fire warning, severe heatwave and Perth temperatures reaching high 30s as summer begins

WA is starting summer with a bang as a severe heatwave continues to sear large swathes of the State, fire weather warnings have been issued and Perth is expected to be hit by scorching temperatures.

A fire weather warning of extreme danger was issued on Sunday morning for the Ashburton Coast, Exmouth Gulf Coast and Yarra Yarra.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises those affected to start their Bushfire Survival Plan now and to monitor the situation through their local radio station, Emergency WA and the Bureau of Meteorology website.

On Sunday, Meekatharra and Mt Magnet were continuing to experiencing a severe heatwave that began on Thursday in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, South Interior and Central West Districts.

Maximum temperatures are in the low to mid 40s and staying warm overnight in mid to high 20s.

Meanwhile, Perth is set to see sunny skies and temperatures soaring above thirty during the coming week until a slight reprise of 29C on Saturday.

By Wednesday, Perth will see a top of 37C as the Bureau of Meteorology said it could get close to 40C if the sea breeze stayed away.

The bureau said the summer was expected to be warmer than average and the hot weather later this week was a taste of high temperatures to come.

“We are going for above 80 per cent medium maximum temperatures for the summer, so that’s indicating it’s going to be warmer,” it said.

Perth locals have been soaking up the sunshine by hitting up the beach and the river to stay cool.

On Sunday, Claudio and his 14-month-old daughter, Rena, escaped the heat and enjoyed their time in the Swan River’s Matilda Bay.

“It was pretty warm... it was very nice being in the water,” the Perth father said.

“She loves going into the water a lot, just jumping around and splashing - she loves that.”

Other children were jetty jumping and some paddled in kayaks as parents enjoyed the water-side entertainment on Sunday.

Perth weather forecast

Monday: 19-32, sunny

Tuesday: 17-34, sunny

Wednesday: 22-37, sunny

Thursday: 24-36, sunny

Friday: 23-37, sunny

Saturday: 21-29, mostly sunny