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Extreme heat and raging wildfires have swept through the dry landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures expected to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the next few days, a major alert for extreme heat has been declared across much of the south-west.

Broad Extreme Heat Alerts Across the Region

These conditions follow this month's fires in New South Wales, which caused the destruction of properties and fatalities. Severe heat alerts have additionally been issued for the coming days in parts of South Australia and NSW, as a ridge of high pressure moves eastward, bringing intense sunshine to much of the region.

The combination of tinder-dry vegetation and unbroken high temperatures presents a volatile scenario for firefighters.

Global Weather Extremes Cause Chaos

Elsewhere, a metropolis was left in blackout recently after strong winds damaged the city’s electrical network, with falling trees bringing down power lines. The weather conditions also led to significant transport delays at a key airport, where numerous flights were grounded. Substantial impact on power systems is expected to create further issues as service providers work urgently to restore power to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Atypical Fog Blankets Typically Clear Region

Meanwhile, a valley famed for its clear skies and plentiful sunlight has experienced one of its dullest and most overcast weeks on record. A specific type of fog, which usually lasts for only a short time, has been unusually extensive and persistent this year, holding temperatures at a major airport under 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The extended haze has been driven by exceptional autumn precipitation that resulted in the ground saturated.

• Primary Driver: Exceptional autumn rainfall soaked the ground.
• Outcome: Prolonged and thick fog formation.
• Impact: Thermal readings remained unseasonably low for an extended time.

Storm Delivers Wintry Weather to Tourist Islands

And in another country, a weather system has brought intense rain, powerful gales and even snow to a set of islands – weather many would not associate with this favored tourist spot. While snow is not unheard of at elevated areas, the system delivered some of the heaviest accumulations in 2016 to a national park, forcing its temporary shutdown.

In addition to the snowfall, fierce winds from the north buffeted the archipelago, with wind gusts exceeding 50mph observed on multiple islands. The effect of the storm is forecast to diminish this week with more typical conditions taking hold.