🔗 Share this article Bushfires Engulf WA as Temperatures Soar Extreme heat and intense wildfires have devastated the dry landscape of Western Australia. With mercury levels expected to persist climbing above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major heatwave warning has been issued across a large portion of the south-west. Broad Extreme Heat Alerts Across Multiple States This situation come after recent bushfires in another state, which resulted in the loss of properties and fatalities. Intense heatwave warnings have also been issued for later this week in parts of SA and New South Wales, as a system of high pressure moves eastward, delivering intense heat to much of the area. The combination of tinder-dry vegetation and unbroken heat creates a volatile situation for firefighters. Worldwide Climatic Events Cause Disruption Elsewhere, a major city was left in darkness last week after strong gusts compromised the city’s power grid, with falling trees knocking out electricity cables. The stormy weather also caused major travel disruption at a key airport, where numerous flights were grounded. Severe damage to power systems is expected to create further issues as service providers scramble to reconnect electricity to over 1 million residents. Atypical Fog Covers Sunny Region At the same time, a valley famed for its clear skies and plentiful sunshine has endured one of its dullest and foggiest weeks on recorded history. A particular form of low cloud, which typically lingers for only a short time, has been remarkably extensive and long-lasting this year, keeping temperatures at a key transport hub below 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The prolonged haze has been driven by exceptional autumn rainfall that resulted in soils waterlogged. Primary Driver: Exceptional autumn rainfall soaked the soil. Outcome: Prolonged and dense fog formation. Impact: Thermal readings remained unseasonably low for an lengthy period. Severe Weather Brings Wintry Weather to Tourist Destination Turning to another country, a weather system has ushered in heavy rain, powerful gales and even snow to a set of islands – weather many would not connect with this favored tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unknown at higher ground, the system brought some of the deepest accumulations in 2016 to a national park, forcing its temporary shutdown. In addition to the snow, fierce winds from the north buffeted the island chain, with gusts exceeding 50mph recorded on multiple locations. The influence of the storm is forecast to ease this week with more typical weather returning.