🔗 Share this article

Extreme heat and raging wildfires have swept through the parched landscape of Western Australia. With mercury levels forecast to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a severe heatwave warning has been declared across much of the south-west.

Broad Extreme Heat Alerts Throughout the Region

This situation come after this month's bushfires in another state, which caused the loss of properties and loss of life. Severe heatwave warnings have also been activated for later this week in parts of South Australia and New South Wales, as a ridge of atmospheric pressure shifts to the east, delivering intense heat to much of the area.

The mix of tinder-dry land and unbroken high temperatures creates a volatile situation for firefighters.

Global Climatic Events Cause Chaos

In another part of the world, a major city was plunged into blackout recently after strong winds damaged the city’s power grid, with toppled trees bringing down electricity cables. The weather conditions also caused significant transport delays at a key airport, where hundreds of air services were grounded. Severe impact on power systems is anticipated to create ongoing problems as service providers scramble to reconnect electricity to over 1 million residents.

Atypical Fog Covers Sunny Region

At the same time, a region known for its clear skies and plentiful sunlight has experienced one of its grayest and most overcast periods on recorded history. A particular form of fog, which usually lingers for only a short time, has been unusually extensive and persistent this year, holding the mercury at a major airport below 8C for more than a week – the longest such streak in more than three decades. The prolonged fog has been fuelled by exceptional autumn rainfall that left soils saturated.

• Primary Driver: Exceptional autumn rainfall soaked the ground.
• Outcome: Extended and dense fog development.
• Effect: Thermal readings stayed below average for an lengthy time.

Storm Brings Wintry Weather to Holiday Destination

And in another country, a powerful storm has ushered in intense rain, strong gales and even snowfall to a group of islands – conditions many would not connect with this favored tourist spot. While snow is not unknown at elevated areas, the storm brought some of the heaviest accumulations in 2016 to a national park, forcing its temporary shutdown.

In addition to the snowfall, strong northerly winds buffeted the island chain, with wind gusts exceeding 50mph observed on multiple islands. The influence of the storm is expected to ease this week with more typical conditions returning.