Wildfires Engulf WA as Thermal Readings Skyrocket

Extreme heat and intense bushfires have swept through the dry landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures expected to persist climbing above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major heatwave warning has been issued across a large portion of the southwestern region.

Broad Extreme Heat Alerts Across the Region

These conditions follow this month's fires in New South Wales, which caused the loss of homes and fatalities. Severe heat alerts have additionally been activated for later this week in areas within South Australia and New South Wales, as a system of high pressure shifts to the east, delivering blazing sunshine to much of the region.

The mix of tinder-dry vegetation and unbroken heat creates a dangerous situation for emergency crews.

Worldwide Climatic Events Cause Chaos

In another part of the world, a major city was left in darkness last week after powerful winds damaged the urban electrical network, with falling trees knocking out electricity cables. The stormy weather also led to significant travel disruption at a major airport, where numerous air services were cancelled. Substantial damage to electrical infrastructure is anticipated to create ongoing issues as utility companies work urgently to restore power to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Unusual Fog Covers Sunny Area

Meanwhile, a valley famed for its sunny weather and plentiful sunshine has endured one of its dullest and foggiest weeks on recorded history. A particular form of low cloud, which typically lasts for only a few days, has been remarkably extensive and long-lasting this year, keeping the mercury at a major airport under 8C for over a week – the most prolonged period in more than three decades. The prolonged haze has been driven by unprecedented fall precipitation that resulted in soils waterlogged.

• Key Factor: Record fall rains saturated the ground.
• Outcome: Prolonged and dense fog development.
• Impact: Temperatures remained unseasonably low for an lengthy period.

Severe Weather Delivers Snow to Holiday Islands

Turning to another country, a weather system has ushered in intense rain, powerful winds and even snowfall to a set of islands – conditions many would not associate with this popular holiday destination. While snow is not unknown at elevated areas, the system delivered some of the deepest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its closure.

Alongside the snowfall, strong northerly winds buffeted the island chain, with gusts reaching 50mph observed on multiple locations. The influence of the weather event is expected to diminish this week with more typical conditions taking hold.