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Extreme heat and raging bushfires have swept through the parched landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures forecast to continue climbing above 40C (104F) over the next few days, a severe heatwave warning has been declared across a large portion of the southwestern region.

Broad Heatwave Alerts Throughout the Region

This situation come after this month's bushfires in another state, which caused the loss of properties and fatalities. Intense heat alerts have also been activated for later this week in parts of SA and NSW, as a ridge of high pressure moves eastward, bringing blazing sunshine to a broad swath of the region.

The mix of extremely dry vegetation and unbroken heat presents a dangerous scenario for emergency crews.

Worldwide Weather Extremes Cause Disruption

Elsewhere, a major city was left in blackout recently after powerful gusts compromised the city’s electrical network, with falling trees knocking out power lines. The weather conditions also caused significant travel disruption at a major airport, where hundreds of air services were grounded. Substantial damage to power systems is expected to cause ongoing problems as utility companies scramble to restore power to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Atypical Fog Covers Typically Clear Area

At the same time, a region famed for its sunny weather and abundant sunlight has endured one of its grayest and foggiest periods on record. A specific type of fog, which usually lasts for only a few days, has been remarkably extensive and persistent this year, holding the mercury at a major airport below 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in more than three decades. The extended haze has been fuelled by exceptional fall rainfall that resulted in soils saturated.

• Primary Driver: Record fall rains soaked the ground.
• Result: Extended and dense mist development.
• Effect: Temperatures stayed unseasonably low for an extended time.

Severe Weather Brings Wintry Weather to Holiday Islands

Turning to another country, a powerful storm has ushered in heavy rain, powerful winds and even snow to a group of islands – weather many would not associate with this popular holiday destination. While snow is not unknown at elevated areas, the storm delivered some of the deepest accumulations in 2016 to a national park, compelling its temporary shutdown.

Alongside the snowfall, strong winds from the north swept across the archipelago, with gusts reaching 50mph observed on several islands. The influence of the weather event is expected to diminish this week with more typical conditions returning.