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Scorching conditions and raging bushfires have devastated the dry landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures forecast to persist climbing above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a severe alert for extreme heat has been declared across a large portion of the southwestern region.

Widespread Heatwave Warnings Throughout the Region

These conditions follow this month's bushfires in another state, which caused the destruction of homes and loss of life. Intense heatwave warnings have also been activated for later this week in parts of SA and NSW, as a ridge of high pressure shifts eastward, bringing blazing heat to a broad swath of the area.

The combination of extremely dry land and unbroken heat presents a dangerous situation for emergency crews.

Worldwide Climatic Events Cause Chaos

In another part of the world, a major city was left in darkness last week after strong winds compromised the city’s power grid, with falling trees bringing down power lines. The weather conditions also led to major travel disruption at a major airport, where hundreds of flights were grounded. Substantial damage to electrical infrastructure is anticipated to create further issues as utility companies work urgently to reconnect electricity to more than 1 million residents.

Atypical Fog Covers Typically Clear Area

Meanwhile, a valley known for its clear skies and abundant sunlight has experienced one of its dullest and most overcast weeks on record. A specific type of fog, which typically lingers for only a short time, has been remarkably widespread and persistent this year, holding the mercury at a key transport hub below 8C for over a week – the longest such streak in more than three decades. The extended haze has been fuelled by exceptional autumn precipitation that left the ground saturated.

• Key Factor: Exceptional fall rains soaked the soil.
• Outcome: Prolonged and dense mist development.
• Effect: Temperatures stayed unseasonably low for an lengthy period.

Severe Weather Delivers Wintry Weather to Holiday Islands

Turning to Spain, a weather system has brought intense rain, powerful winds and even snowfall to a group of islands – weather many would not associate with this favored tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unheard of at higher ground, the system delivered some of the deepest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its temporary shutdown.

Alongside the snowfall, strong winds from the north buffeted the archipelago, with gusts reaching 50mph observed on multiple locations. The influence of the weather event is forecast to diminish this week with more typical conditions returning.