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Extreme heat and intense wildfires have swept through the parched landscape of Western Australia. With mercury levels forecast to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major heatwave warning has been issued across much of the southwestern region.

Broad Extreme Heat Warnings Throughout Multiple States

These conditions follow this month's fires in New South Wales, which caused the loss of homes and fatalities. Intense heat alerts have also been issued for later this week in areas within SA and NSW, as a system of high pressure shifts to the east, bringing blazing sunshine to a broad swath of the region.

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

Worldwide Climatic Events Trigger Chaos

In another part of the world, a metropolis was plunged into darkness last week after powerful winds compromised the city’s power grid, with falling trees knocking out electricity cables. The weather conditions also led to significant travel disruption at a major airport, where numerous flights were grounded. Substantial impact on power systems is expected to create ongoing issues as service providers work urgently to restore power to more than 1 million residents.

Atypical Mist Blankets Typically Clear Area

At the same time, a valley known for its clear skies and abundant sunlight has endured one of its grayest and most overcast periods on recorded history. A particular form of low cloud, which typically lingers for only a short time, has been remarkably widespread and long-lasting this year, keeping the mercury at a major airport below 8C for over a week – the longest such streak in over three decades. The extended haze has been driven by unprecedented fall rainfall that left the ground saturated.

• Key Factor: Record autumn rainfall saturated the soil.
• Outcome: Extended and thick mist development.
• Impact: Thermal readings stayed unseasonably low for an lengthy time.

Storm Brings Wintry Weather to Tourist Destination

And in another country, a powerful storm has ushered in heavy rainfall, powerful winds and even snow to a set of islands – conditions many would not connect with this favored tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unknown at elevated areas, the storm delivered some of the deepest accumulations in 2016 to a national park, forcing its closure.

Alongside the snow, fierce winds from the north swept across the archipelago, with gusts exceeding 50mph recorded on multiple islands. The influence of the weather event is expected to ease this week with more typical conditions returning.