A powerful cold front which has been brewing in the Indian Ocean is making its way towards Australia, bringing “damaging winds and heavy rainfall” with it.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects the cold front to arrive on Australia’s southwest coast on Sunday afternoon, where it will begin to affect Perth, Bunbury, Albany and Geraldton.

BOM Meteorologist Angus Hines said the weather system is likely to “come in with a bang.”

“By tonight, that front will be over parts of the Central West, the Wheatbelt and the southeast,” Mr Hines said.

“This front is going to bring some serious weather impacts, in fact we’ve already got some severe weather warnings in play ahead of its arrival.

“Damaging winds of 90 to 100km/h are possible through Sunday afternoon and evening, and some places could see even stronger winds particularly about the West Coast.”

Mr Hines said some areas could face “serious impact and some serious damage,” particularly in parts of the west coast south of Mandurah.

“We see the potential for some heavy rainfall in quite a short time, but that could be briefly heavy rain, 30 to 60 millimetres of rain in about six hours as that front moves through starting in the west early afternoon,” he said.

“The combination of wind and rain will have a real impact on the ground down in the southwest later on Sunday, primarily in regard to wind damage. That can mean damage to trees and branches, but it could also mean damage to properties, houses, fences and outdoor furniture.”

The strong winds and wet weather are unlikely to clear up overnight, and strong winds, rain and hail will continue to pelt the southwest throughout Monday.

EmergencyWA has recommended residents in areas likely to be affected should “pack away, secure or tie down” loose items outside the home which could be tossed around by strong winds.