🔗 Share this article

Extreme heat and raging bushfires have devastated the dry landscape of Western Australia. With mercury levels expected to persist climbing above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major alert for extreme heat has been issued across much of the south-west.

Broad Extreme Heat Warnings Across Multiple States

These conditions follow recent bushfires in New South Wales, which caused the destruction of properties and fatalities. Intense heatwave warnings have also been activated for the coming days in areas within South Australia and New South Wales, as a ridge of high pressure shifts eastward, delivering intense heat to a broad swath of the area.

The combination of extremely dry vegetation and unbroken high temperatures creates a dangerous scenario for firefighters.

Worldwide Climatic Events Cause Disruption

Elsewhere, a metropolis was plunged into blackout last week after powerful gusts compromised the urban power grid, with falling trees knocking out power lines. The stormy weather also caused significant travel disruption at a major airport, where hundreds of air services were cancelled. Substantial damage to electrical infrastructure is expected to cause further issues as service providers work urgently to reconnect electricity to over 1 million inhabitants.

Unusual Mist Blankets Sunny Area

Meanwhile, a valley famed for its sunny weather and abundant sunshine has experienced one of its dullest and most overcast periods on recorded history. A particular form of fog, which usually lasts for only a few days, has been remarkably widespread and persistent this year, keeping the mercury at a key transport hub below 8C for over a week – the most prolonged period in more than three decades. The prolonged fog has been fuelled by unprecedented fall rainfall that left the ground saturated.

• Key Factor: Record fall rains soaked the ground.
• Result: Extended and dense fog development.
• Impact: Temperatures stayed below average for an lengthy period.

Storm Brings Wintry Weather to Holiday Destination

And in Spain, 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 tourist spot. While snow is not unknown at higher ground, the storm brought some of the deepest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its closure.

In addition to the snowfall, strong winds from the north buffeted the island chain, with gusts reaching 50mph recorded on multiple islands. The influence of the storm is forecast to diminish this week with more seasonal conditions taking hold.