Bushfires Engulf Western Australia as Temperatures Soar

Scorching conditions and raging bushfires have devastated the dry landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures forecast to persist climbing above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a severe alert for extreme heat has been issued across a large portion of the southwestern region.

Broad Extreme Heat Warnings Throughout Multiple States

These conditions come after this month's bushfires in New South Wales, which resulted in the loss of properties and fatalities. Severe heat alerts have also been activated for later this week in areas within SA and New South Wales, as a ridge of high pressure shifts to the east, delivering blazing heat to a broad swath of the region.

The mix of extremely dry land and relentless high temperatures presents a dangerous situation for firefighters.

Worldwide Climatic Events Cause Disruption

Elsewhere, a metropolis was left in blackout last week after powerful gusts damaged the city’s power grid, with toppled trees bringing down electricity cables. The weather conditions also led to significant travel disruption at a key airport, where numerous flights were cancelled. Substantial damage to electrical infrastructure is expected to cause ongoing issues as utility companies work urgently to restore power to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Atypical Mist Covers Sunny Region

Meanwhile, a region famed for its sunny weather and abundant sunlight has experienced one of its dullest and most overcast weeks on recorded history. A specific type of fog, which usually lasts for only a few days, has been remarkably widespread and persistent this year, holding the mercury at a key transport hub below 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in more than three decades. The prolonged fog has been fuelled by exceptional fall precipitation that resulted in the ground saturated.

• Primary Driver: Record autumn rainfall saturated the soil.
• Result: Extended and dense mist formation.
• Effect: Thermal readings remained below average for an lengthy time.

Severe Weather Delivers Wintry Weather to Holiday Islands

Turning to Spain, a weather system has brought intense rainfall, strong winds and even snow to a group of islands – weather many would not associate with this popular tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unheard of at higher ground, the system delivered some of the deepest snow depths in 2016 to a protected area, compelling its closure.

Alongside the snow, fierce winds from the north buffeted the archipelago, with gusts reaching 50mph recorded on several locations. The effect of the weather event is expected to diminish this week with more typical weather returning.