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

Broad Extreme Heat Alerts Throughout Multiple States

These conditions come after this month's fires in another state, which resulted in the loss of properties and fatalities. Severe heatwave warnings have additionally been activated for later this week in parts of South Australia and New South Wales, as a ridge of atmospheric pressure shifts eastward, bringing blazing sunshine to a broad swath of the region.

The mix of tinder-dry land and unbroken high temperatures creates a dangerous scenario for emergency crews.

Worldwide Climatic Events Trigger Disruption

Elsewhere, a major city was left in darkness last week after powerful gusts compromised the city’s power grid, with toppled trees bringing down electricity cables. The stormy weather also led to major travel disruption at a major airport, where hundreds of air services were grounded. Substantial damage to electrical infrastructure is anticipated to create ongoing issues as service providers scramble to restore power to more than 1 million residents.

Atypical Fog Blankets Sunny Area

Meanwhile, a valley famed for its sunny weather and abundant sunshine has experienced one of its grayest and foggiest weeks on recorded history. A particular form of fog, which usually lingers for only a few days, has been remarkably extensive and persistent this year, keeping the mercury at a major airport below 8C for over a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The extended haze has been fuelled by exceptional fall rainfall that resulted in soils waterlogged.

• Key Factor: Record autumn rainfall soaked the soil.
• Outcome: Extended and thick fog formation.
• Impact: Thermal readings remained below average for an lengthy time.

Severe Weather Brings Wintry Weather to Holiday Destination

Turning to another country, a weather system has brought intense rainfall, powerful gales and even snowfall to a set of islands – conditions many would not associate with this favored tourist spot. While snow is not unheard of at higher ground, the system brought some of the heaviest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its closure.

In addition to the snow, fierce northerly winds swept across the island chain, with gusts exceeding 50mph recorded on multiple islands. The effect of the storm is expected to diminish this week with more seasonal conditions returning.