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Extreme heat and raging bushfires have devastated the parched landscape of Western Australia. As temperatures expected to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a severe alert for extreme heat has been declared across much of the southwestern region.

Widespread Heatwave Alerts Throughout the Region

This situation come after recent bushfires in another state, which resulted in the loss of homes and loss of life. Severe heatwave warnings have additionally been activated for the coming days in areas within SA and New South Wales, as a system of atmospheric pressure shifts to the east, bringing blazing sunshine to a broad swath of the area.

The combination of tinder-dry land and relentless high temperatures creates a volatile scenario for firefighters.

Global Weather Extremes Cause Disruption

Elsewhere, a major city was left in blackout last week after powerful winds damaged the city’s power grid, with falling trees knocking out electricity cables. The stormy weather also led to major travel disruption at a key airport, where hundreds of flights were grounded. Severe impact on power systems is anticipated to create further issues as utility companies work urgently to reconnect electricity to over 1 million residents.

Atypical Mist Covers Sunny Region

At the same time, a region known for its sunny weather and plentiful sunshine has endured one of its grayest and foggiest weeks on record. A particular form of fog, which typically lasts for only a short time, has been unusually widespread and persistent this year, holding the mercury at a key transport hub under 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in more than three decades. The extended haze has been driven by unprecedented autumn precipitation that left the ground saturated.

• Primary Driver: Exceptional fall rains soaked the soil.
• Result: Prolonged and dense mist development.
• Effect: Temperatures remained below average for an lengthy period.

Storm Brings Wintry Weather to Holiday Islands

Turning to another country, a weather system has ushered in intense rainfall, strong winds and even snowfall to a set of islands – weather many would not associate with this favored holiday destination. While wintry precipitation is not unknown at elevated areas, the system delivered some of the deepest accumulations in 2016 to a protected area, compelling its temporary shutdown.

Alongside the snowfall, strong winds from the north swept across the archipelago, with wind gusts exceeding 50mph recorded on several locations. The effect of the storm is forecast to diminish this week with more seasonal weather returning.