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Extreme heat and intense bushfires have devastated the parched landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures expected to persist soaring above 40C (104F) over the next few days, a severe alert for extreme heat has been issued across a large portion of the south-west.

Broad Heatwave Alerts Across the Region

This situation follow recent bushfires in New South Wales, which resulted in the destruction of homes and loss of life. Severe heatwave warnings have additionally been issued for later this week in parts of South Australia and New South Wales, as a system of atmospheric pressure moves eastward, bringing blazing sunshine to much of the region.

The combination of extremely dry land and relentless high temperatures presents a volatile scenario for firefighters.

Worldwide Climatic Events Trigger Disruption

Elsewhere, a major city was plunged into blackout last week after strong gusts damaged the city’s electrical network, with falling trees knocking out power lines. The weather conditions also caused significant travel disruption at a key airport, where hundreds of air services were grounded. Substantial impact on power systems is expected to create further problems as utility companies scramble to restore power to more than 1 million residents.

Atypical Fog Covers Sunny Area

Meanwhile, a valley known for its clear skies and abundant sunlight has endured one of its grayest and most overcast periods on recorded history. A specific type of fog, which usually lingers for only a short time, has been unusually extensive and persistent this year, holding the mercury at a key transport hub below 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The prolonged haze has been fuelled by unprecedented autumn rainfall that resulted in soils saturated.

• Primary Driver: Record autumn rainfall soaked the soil.
• Result: Prolonged and thick mist development.
• Impact: Thermal readings remained unseasonably low for an extended time.

Storm Brings Wintry Weather to Tourist Destination

And in another country, a powerful storm has brought intense rain, strong gales and even snow to a group of islands – weather many would not connect with this favored holiday destination. While wintry precipitation is not unheard of at elevated areas, the storm brought some of the deepest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its closure.

Alongside the snowfall, fierce winds from the north swept across the island chain, with wind gusts exceeding 50mph observed on multiple islands. The effect of the storm is expected to diminish this week with more typical weather taking hold.