Bushfires Ravage Western Australia as Temperatures Skyrocket
Extreme heat and raging wildfires have swept through the dry landscape of Western Australia. As temperatures forecast to persist soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major alert for extreme heat has been issued across much of the southwestern region.
Widespread Heatwave Alerts Across Multiple States
This situation come after recent fires in New South Wales, which resulted in the destruction of homes and loss of life. Severe heat alerts have also been activated for later this week in parts of SA and NSW, as a system of atmospheric pressure shifts eastward, bringing blazing heat to a broad swath of the area.
The combination of tinder-dry vegetation and unbroken heat presents a volatile situation for emergency crews.
Worldwide Weather Extremes Trigger Disruption
In another part of the world, a major city was plunged into darkness recently after strong gusts damaged the urban power grid, with falling trees knocking out power lines. The stormy weather also led to major travel disruption at a major airport, where numerous flights were grounded. Severe damage to power systems is expected to cause ongoing problems as utility companies work urgently to reconnect electricity to more than 1 million residents.
Atypical Fog Covers Typically Clear Region
At the same time, a valley famed for its clear skies and abundant sunshine has endured one of its dullest and most overcast weeks on recorded history. A specific type of low cloud, which typically lingers for only a short time, has been unusually widespread and long-lasting this year, holding the mercury at a major airport under 8C for over a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The extended fog has been driven by exceptional fall precipitation that left the ground saturated.
- Primary Driver: Record autumn rainfall saturated the soil.
- Outcome: Prolonged and thick fog development.
- Impact: Thermal readings remained unseasonably low for an extended period.
Storm Brings Snow to Tourist Islands
Turning to Spain, a weather system has ushered in heavy rainfall, powerful winds and even snowfall to a set of islands – weather many would not associate with this favored tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unheard of at elevated areas, the storm brought some of the deepest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its temporary shutdown.
Alongside the snow, strong northerly winds swept across the archipelago, with gusts reaching 50mph recorded on several locations. The effect of the weather event is forecast to diminish this week with more seasonal conditions returning.
