🔗 Share this article

Extreme heat and intense wildfires have swept through the dry landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures forecast to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a severe alert for extreme heat has been issued across much of the southwestern region.

Widespread Extreme Heat Alerts Throughout the Region

These conditions come after this month's fires in New South Wales, which resulted in the loss of properties and fatalities. Intense heat alerts have additionally been issued for later this week in areas within SA and New South Wales, as a system of high pressure moves to the east, bringing blazing sunshine to a broad swath of the region.

The mix of tinder-dry vegetation and relentless high temperatures creates a dangerous scenario for firefighters.

Global Weather Extremes Trigger Chaos

In another part of the world, a metropolis was left in darkness last week after strong gusts compromised the city’s electrical network, with toppled trees knocking out electricity cables. The stormy weather also caused major travel disruption at a major airport, where numerous flights were cancelled. Substantial damage to electrical infrastructure is anticipated to create further issues as service providers work urgently to reconnect electricity to more than 1 million residents.

Unusual Fog Covers Sunny Area

At the same time, a region known for its sunny weather and abundant sunshine has endured one of its dullest and foggiest periods on recorded history. A specific type of low cloud, which usually lingers for only a few days, has been remarkably widespread and persistent this year, holding temperatures at a major airport under 8C for over a week – the longest such streak in over three decades. The prolonged haze has been fuelled by exceptional fall precipitation that left the ground waterlogged.

• Key Factor: Exceptional fall rains saturated the ground.
• Result: Prolonged and thick mist development.
• Impact: Temperatures stayed unseasonably low for an extended period.

Severe Weather Brings Snow to Holiday Destination

Turning to Spain, a powerful storm has brought intense rain, powerful winds and even snowfall to a group of islands – conditions many would not connect with this favored holiday destination. While wintry precipitation is not unknown at higher ground, the system delivered some of the heaviest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its temporary shutdown.

Alongside the snowfall, fierce northerly winds buffeted the archipelago, with gusts exceeding 50mph recorded on multiple islands. The effect of the storm is forecast to ease this week with more typical conditions taking hold.