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Extreme heat and intense wildfires have swept through the dry landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures expected to continue climbing above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major alert for extreme heat has been declared across a large portion of the southwestern region.

Widespread Extreme Heat Alerts Throughout Multiple States

This situation come after this month's bushfires in New South Wales, which resulted in the destruction of homes and loss of life. Severe heatwave warnings have also been activated for the coming days in parts of South Australia and NSW, as a system of high pressure shifts to the east, bringing blazing heat to a broad swath of the area.

The mix of tinder-dry vegetation and relentless high temperatures presents a dangerous situation for emergency crews.

Worldwide Weather Extremes Trigger Chaos

Elsewhere, a major city was left in blackout last week after strong gusts compromised the city’s power grid, with falling trees knocking out electricity cables. The weather conditions also led to major travel disruption at a key airport, where hundreds of flights were cancelled. Severe impact on power systems is anticipated to create ongoing issues as service providers work urgently to restore power to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Unusual Fog Blankets Typically Clear Area

Meanwhile, a valley famed for its sunny weather and abundant sunlight has endured one of its grayest and foggiest periods on recorded history. A specific type of low cloud, which typically lingers for only a short time, has been remarkably widespread and persistent this year, keeping the mercury at a key transport hub under 8C for over a week – the longest such streak in over three decades. The extended fog has been driven by exceptional fall precipitation that resulted in the ground saturated.

• Primary Driver: Exceptional fall rains soaked the ground.
• Outcome: Extended and thick mist formation.
• Effect: Thermal readings remained below average for an extended time.

Storm Delivers Snow to Tourist Islands

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

Alongside the snow, fierce winds from the north buffeted the island chain, with gusts exceeding 50mph recorded on several islands. The influence of the weather event is expected to diminish this week with more seasonal conditions taking hold.