🔗 Share this article

Scorching conditions and intense bushfires have swept through the dry landscape of Western Australia. As mercury levels forecast to persist soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major heatwave warning has been declared across a large portion of the southwestern region.

Broad Extreme Heat Alerts Across the Region

These conditions follow recent bushfires in New South Wales, which caused the destruction of properties and loss of life. Severe heat alerts have additionally been issued for the coming days in parts of SA 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 land and relentless high temperatures presents a volatile situation for emergency crews.

Global Climatic Events Trigger Chaos

In another part of the world, a major city was left in blackout last week after strong winds compromised the urban power grid, with falling trees knocking out power lines. The weather conditions also caused significant transport delays at a major airport, where hundreds of air services were grounded. Substantial impact on electrical infrastructure is anticipated to create further issues as service providers scramble to reconnect electricity to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Atypical Mist Blankets Sunny Region

At the same time, a valley famed for its clear skies and abundant sunlight has experienced one of its grayest and most overcast periods on recorded history. A particular form of low cloud, which usually lasts for only a few days, has been unusually widespread and long-lasting this year, holding the mercury at a key transport hub under 8C for over a week – the longest such streak in more than three decades. The prolonged haze has been fuelled by unprecedented autumn rainfall that resulted in soils waterlogged.

• Primary Driver: Exceptional autumn rainfall saturated the soil.
• Outcome: Prolonged and dense mist development.
• Effect: Temperatures remained below average for an lengthy period.

Storm Delivers Snow to Tourist Destination

And in another country, a powerful storm has brought intense rainfall, strong gales and even snowfall to a group of islands – weather many would not associate with this favored holiday destination. While snow is not unknown at elevated areas, the system delivered some of the heaviest snow depths in 2016 to a protected area, compelling its temporary shutdown.

In addition to the snowfall, fierce winds from the north buffeted the archipelago, with gusts reaching 50mph observed on multiple islands. The effect of the weather event is forecast to ease this week with more seasonal weather returning.