Perth drenched overnight as crews respond to crashes across the city’s main roads

Perth received a hefty drenching overnight as more than 18mm fell at the beginning of what is expected to be a several-day streak of downpours.

Severe thunderstorm warnings issued on Wednesday night were cancelled as the threat of damaging wind eased.

But heavy rain made for a wet wake-up for the greater Perth region.

The 18.4mm of rainfall overnight is forecast to blow out to 30mm on Thursday, and showers are expected to last throughout the weekend and well into next until at least Wednesday, when a possible thunderstorm is on the cards.

Showers will be light throughout Thursday in Perth before picking up in the evening and on Friday.

It is expected to be wet and cloudy throughout the day before fog in the morning in Perth’s north-east on Saturday and showers in the afternoon and evening.

Warnings have been issued for motorists heading onto roads in soggy conditions as traffic disruptions are unfolding across multiple major roads.

A crash heading northbound on Kwinana Freeway after Russell Road in Success has slowed traffic and another crash in Redcliffe on Great Eastern Highway heading east, after Coolgardie Avenue, has reduced traffic to one lane.

Leach Highway has been cleared after a crash earlier this morning. Drivers have been urged to drive carefully on wet roads.

There was also a crash in North Perth and breakdowns in Stirling and Dayton. All caused traffic congestion but have been cleared.

An alert from Main Roads urged drivers to drive to the conditions Thursday morning by switching headlights on, keeping a safe braking distance and being patient.

“Allow extra travel time. Be aware of minor flooding across metro roads, drive with caution,” the warning read.