It's all happening in West Australian weather right now, with Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa bearing down on the Kimberley and Pilbara while a strong cold front lurks southwest of Perth.

We've written lots about Ilsa this week and there will be plenty more to cover as it reaches Category 4 strength and crosses the coastline later on Thursday.

For now, let's focus on the system set to impact WA's South West Land Division in coming days. You can see the arched cloudband and tell-tale speckle cloud pattern of polar air behind the cold front on the Wednesday afternoon satellite image. You also can't miss TC Ilsa.

It's quite the contrast to see two powerful systems like this simultaneously about to impact a single Australian state.

For Perth, the first serious cold front of autumn won't bring a lot of rain, but it will usher in the first day of 2023 with a maximum below 20°C, with Friday topping out at 18°C or 19°C.

On the south coast, Albany will reach only 15°C on Friday, and plenty of rain can be expected down that way too, along with some small hail.

Indeed, Albany's average max temp in July (the coldest month) is 15.8°C. So we're going to see southern parts of WA shiver through temps colder than an average winter day, while a cyclone rages up north.

That says plenty about the time of year, but mostly it speaks to the vastness of the great state of Western Australia.

As ever, please check our warnings page for the latest on Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa and any other extreme weather.