Perth is in the midst of a warmly welcomed hot streak that has the city feeling like it’s summer.
The mercury hit 31C on Sunday, with thousands flocking to the beach to make the most of the April sunshine that will continue well into this week.
Monday was forecast to hit 27C before it returns to 30C on Tuesday and continues in the high 20s for the next two days.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the April warm spell was slightly above the month’s usual average of 26C, but not unusual.
“Temperatures are expected to be in the high 20s or near 30 degrees and drop back into the low 20s from Friday,” the BOM spokesperson said.
But it warned the sunny skies may not last much past this week and could even be interrupted by a storm later in the week.
“There is a chance of a thunderstorm in the far north-east on Monday extending to much of the metro area on Tuesday and Wednesday and then just over the Perth Hills on Thursday,” the spokesperson said.
“This is due to a trough. A cold front will move through late Friday and into Saturday morning bringing some rain.”
“Showers are developing ahead of a cold front later on Friday.”
Beach carparks were completely full by midday on Sunday, with lines of people spilling out of nearby cafes and fish and chip shops as the huge crowds gathered along the beach.
Among the many at Cottesloe Beach were close mates Bayden Murdock, Elliot Greenwood and Tom and Rhys Murray, pictured, who spent a day out at the packed out hotspot to make the most of the holiday break.
Former residents Natasha Mohiuddin, 32, and Adam Ellis, 34, who are back in Perth from Sydney for a string of weddings, enjoyed fish and chips under the shade over looking the water.
“We thought we’d hit up the old Amberjacks like we did 10 years ago and enjoy it — it’s a bit nostalgic,” she said.
“We are both missing a bit of the Perth weather and the beach lifestyle.
“Despite what everyone says, you can’t beat a beach in Perth.”
Ms Mohiuddin welcomed the warmer weather and said autumn was one of the best months of the year.
“This time of year in Perth is probably the best time,” she said.
For Sam Henderson, 27, and his fiancee Phoebe Marquand, 30, their beach trip was one to remember as they stopped in Perth to visit Mr Henderson’s parents before returning to England for a wedding.
They spent the day swimming and relaxing by the water.
“We’re going back to about 10 degrees and rain, so we’re trying to make the most of it,” Mr Henderson said.
“It’s been really good — we’ve been for a swim, a little bit of sunbathing, but not too much, and had to put a bit of sunscreen on, and we’re then having a barbecue later.”
“Then back to rainy England, back to rainy Melbourne probably.”
Perth’s average temperature for the month is 25.3C, just below last year’s average of 26.8C.
The metro area has not had a drop of rain so far this month.
https://thewest.com.au/news/weather/thousands-of-beachgoers-take-advantage-of-perths-lingering-summer-like-picture-perfect-weather-c-22128959
