Much of Western Australia is experiencing temperatures in the high 30C’s and into the 40C’s, with the hottest weather this week forecast for Christmas Day.

Perth, and much of Western Australia, is in the grip of a severe three-day heatwave, while a cyclone has intensified far off the state’s north-west coast.

Large swathes of the state are experiencing temperatures in the late 30s and into the 40s, with the hottest weather expected on Christmas Day.

The Bureau of Meteorology says locations likely to be impacted include Perth metropolitan area, Dwellingup, Geraldton, Gingin, Karratha and Yanchep.