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Extreme heat and raging bushfires have devastated the parched landscape of Western Australia. As temperatures expected to persist climbing above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major alert for extreme heat has been issued across much of the south-west.

Widespread Heatwave Warnings Across the Region

This situation follow this month's fires in New South Wales, which caused the destruction of properties and loss of life. Severe heatwave warnings have also been issued for later this week in areas within South Australia and New South Wales, as a ridge of high pressure moves eastward, delivering blazing heat to much of the region.

The mix of tinder-dry land and unbroken high temperatures presents a volatile situation for firefighters.

Worldwide Weather Extremes Trigger Chaos

In another part of the world, a major city was left in blackout recently after strong winds compromised the urban electrical network, with toppled trees bringing down power lines. The weather conditions also led to major travel disruption at a key airport, where numerous flights were grounded. Substantial damage to power systems is anticipated to create further problems as service providers work urgently to reconnect electricity to more than 1 million residents.

Atypical Fog Covers Typically Clear Region

Meanwhile, a valley known for its sunny weather and abundant sunlight has experienced one of its dullest and foggiest weeks on recorded history. A particular form of fog, which typically lasts for only a few days, has been remarkably extensive and long-lasting this year, keeping temperatures at a major airport under 8C for over a week – the most prolonged period in more than three decades. The extended fog has been fuelled by exceptional fall rainfall that left the ground saturated.

• Primary Driver: Record fall rains saturated the soil.
• Result: Extended and thick mist development.
• Effect: Thermal readings stayed unseasonably low for an lengthy time.

Severe Weather Brings Snow to Holiday Destination

And in another country, a weather system has ushered in intense rainfall, powerful winds and even snow to a group of islands – conditions many would not connect with this popular tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unheard of at elevated areas, the storm delivered some of the heaviest snow depths since 2016 to a protected area, forcing its temporary shutdown.

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