Bushfires Engulf Western Australia as Thermal Readings Skyrocket
Extreme heat and raging bushfires have devastated the parched landscape of Western Australia. As mercury levels forecast to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the next few days, a severe heatwave warning has been issued across a large portion of the south-west.
Widespread Heatwave Alerts Across Multiple States
These conditions follow recent bushfires in New South Wales, which resulted in the loss of homes and fatalities. Severe heatwave warnings have also been issued for later this week in parts of South Australia and NSW, as a system of atmospheric pressure shifts to the east, bringing intense sunshine to a broad swath of the area.
The mix of extremely dry vegetation and relentless heat creates a dangerous situation for firefighters.
Worldwide Weather Extremes Cause Chaos
Elsewhere, a major city was plunged into darkness last week after powerful winds compromised the urban electrical network, with falling trees knocking out power lines. The weather conditions also led to significant travel disruption at a major airport, where hundreds of flights were cancelled. Substantial damage to electrical infrastructure is expected to create further issues as service providers work urgently to reconnect electricity to more than 1 million inhabitants.
Atypical Fog Covers Typically Clear Area
Meanwhile, a region known for its clear skies and plentiful sunshine has experienced one of its dullest and foggiest periods on record. A particular form of fog, which typically lingers for only a few days, has been remarkably extensive and long-lasting this year, holding temperatures at a key transport hub below 8C for over a week – the longest such streak in over three decades. The prolonged fog has been fuelled by exceptional fall precipitation that left soils saturated.
- Primary Driver: Exceptional autumn rainfall soaked the ground.
- Outcome: Prolonged and thick mist development.
- Impact: Thermal readings stayed below average for an lengthy time.
Storm Delivers Snow to Holiday Destination
And in Spain, a weather system has brought heavy rain, strong winds and even snow to a group of islands – weather many would not connect with this popular holiday destination. While wintry precipitation is not unheard of at higher ground, the system delivered some of the heaviest accumulations in 2016 to a protected area, forcing its closure.
Alongside the snow, fierce northerly winds swept across the archipelago, with wind gusts exceeding 50mph observed on several islands. The influence of the weather event is forecast to diminish this week with more typical weather returning.
