Despite spring kicking off last Wednesday, winter resists leaving WA as temperatures plummeted Saturday morning. But should you keep a blanket handy for the coming nights?

The combination of mostly clear skies, calm winds, and a lingering cold airmass led the mercury to significantly drop Friday night across southwestern WA. Perth and Bunbury dipped to 3.7°C and 4.5°C, respectively, which resulted in their coldest morning in 4 weeks. Norseman and Geraldton reached -1.9°C and 3.1°C, their lowest temperature in 2 years, which interestingly were also registered during the first week of spring.

The winter-like morning was also felt further north. Learmonth's 9.4°C on Saturday morning was its lowest September temperature since 2016. 

 Image: Observed temperatures at 6am WST on Saturday

The broad area of high pressure, which is leading to settled conditions to much of WA, will bring another chilly start to Sunday, although it should be a touch warmer.  

The spring will truly arrive early next week as the high slowly moves east over the coming days dragging a much warmer airmass from the north.  

Nighttime temperatures should stay above 10 degrees in Perth during the next working week and daytime temperatures above 20 degrees. Warmth will peak on Tuesday, when the mercury will reach the high 20s.