Bushfires Engulf WA as Temperatures Soar

Scorching conditions and raging wildfires have devastated the dry landscape of Western Australia. With mercury levels forecast to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a severe alert for extreme heat has been issued across a large portion of the south-west.

Broad Heatwave Warnings Across the Region

This situation follow recent fires in New South Wales, which resulted in the destruction of homes and fatalities. Severe heatwave warnings have also been activated for the coming days in areas within SA and NSW, as a ridge of high pressure moves to the east, bringing blazing sunshine to a broad swath of the area.

The mix of tinder-dry land and unbroken heat presents a volatile situation for emergency crews.

Worldwide Climatic Events Cause Disruption

In another part of the world, a major city was left in darkness last week after strong gusts damaged the city’s power grid, with toppled trees knocking out power lines. The weather conditions also led to significant transport delays at a key airport, where hundreds of flights were cancelled. Severe impact on electrical infrastructure is expected to create further issues as utility companies work urgently to reconnect electricity to over 1 million residents.

Unusual Fog Covers Typically Clear Area

At the same time, a valley known for its clear skies and plentiful sunshine has endured one of its dullest and most overcast periods on recorded history. A particular form of fog, which usually lasts for only a short time, has been unusually widespread and long-lasting this year, keeping the mercury at a major airport under 8C for over a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The prolonged fog has been fuelled by unprecedented fall rainfall that left soils waterlogged.

• Primary Driver: Record autumn rainfall soaked the ground.
• Outcome: Extended and thick fog formation.
• Impact: Thermal readings stayed unseasonably low for an lengthy period.

Severe Weather Delivers Wintry Weather to Holiday Islands

And in Spain, a powerful storm has ushered in heavy rain, powerful gales and even snowfall to a group of islands – conditions many would not connect with this favored tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unheard of at elevated areas, the system delivered some of the heaviest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its closure.

Alongside the snow, strong winds from the north swept across the archipelago, with gusts reaching 50mph observed on multiple locations. The influence of the storm is forecast to ease this week with more seasonal conditions taking hold.