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Extreme heat and raging bushfires have devastated the parched landscape of Western Australia. As mercury levels expected to continue climbing above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major heatwave warning has been issued across much of the south-west.

Widespread Heatwave Warnings Throughout Multiple States

This situation follow this month's bushfires in New South Wales, which resulted in the loss of homes and loss of life. Severe heat alerts have also been issued for the coming days in parts of SA and NSW, as a system of high pressure moves to the east, delivering blazing heat to much of the area.

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

Global Weather Extremes Cause Disruption

In another part of the world, a metropolis was left in blackout last week after strong winds damaged the city’s power grid, with falling trees knocking out power lines. The weather conditions also led to major travel disruption at a major airport, where numerous air services were cancelled. Substantial damage to electrical infrastructure is anticipated to cause further issues as service providers work urgently to reconnect electricity to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Atypical Fog Blankets Sunny Area

At the same time, a region famed for its sunny weather and abundant sunshine has experienced one of its grayest and foggiest periods on record. A specific type of low cloud, which typically lingers for only a few days, has been remarkably widespread and persistent this year, holding the mercury at a major airport under 8C for over a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The prolonged haze has been fuelled by unprecedented autumn rainfall that resulted in the ground waterlogged.

• Primary Driver: Exceptional autumn rainfall soaked the soil.
• Outcome: Prolonged and thick fog formation.
• Effect: Thermal readings stayed unseasonably low for an lengthy period.

Severe Weather Brings Snow to Tourist Destination

And in Spain, a powerful storm has brought heavy rainfall, strong winds and even snowfall to a group of islands – conditions many would not associate with this favored holiday destination. While wintry precipitation is not unheard of at higher ground, the storm brought some of the heaviest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, compelling its temporary shutdown.

In addition to the snow, strong winds from the north buffeted the archipelago, with wind gusts reaching 50mph recorded on multiple locations. The influence of the storm is expected to ease this week with more typical conditions returning.