🔗 Share this article

Scorching conditions and raging wildfires have devastated the parched landscape of Western Australia. With mercury levels forecast to continue climbing above 40C (104F) over the next few days, a major alert for extreme heat has been declared across a large portion of the southwestern region.

Broad Extreme Heat Warnings Throughout Multiple States

This situation follow this month's fires in New South Wales, which caused the destruction of homes and loss of life. Intense heat alerts have additionally been issued for later this week in parts of SA and NSW, as a system of high pressure moves eastward, bringing blazing sunshine to much of the region.

The combination of extremely dry vegetation and unbroken heat presents a volatile scenario for emergency crews.

Global Weather Extremes Cause Chaos

Elsewhere, a metropolis was left in darkness last week after strong winds damaged the urban power grid, with falling trees knocking out electricity cables. The weather conditions also led to significant transport delays at a major airport, where hundreds of air services were cancelled. Substantial damage to power systems is anticipated to cause further issues as service providers work urgently to restore power to over 1 million residents.

Atypical Fog Covers Sunny Area

At the same time, a valley famed for its clear skies and plentiful sunlight has experienced one of its dullest and foggiest periods on recorded history. A particular form of fog, which typically lasts for only a few days, has been unusually widespread and long-lasting this year, holding the mercury at a key transport hub below 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The prolonged haze has been fuelled by exceptional fall precipitation that left the ground saturated.

• Primary Driver: Exceptional fall rains saturated the ground.
• Outcome: Extended and dense mist development.
• Effect: Temperatures stayed unseasonably low for an lengthy period.

Storm Brings Snow to Tourist Destination

And in another country, a powerful storm has brought intense rainfall, strong winds and even snowfall to a set of islands – weather many would not associate with this favored tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unknown at higher ground, the system brought some of the heaviest accumulations since 2016 to a protected area, compelling its temporary shutdown.

Alongside the snow, strong winds from the north swept across the island chain, with gusts reaching 50mph observed on multiple islands. The influence of the storm is forecast to ease this week with more seasonal conditions taking hold.