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Scorching conditions and raging bushfires have devastated the dry landscape of Western Australia. As temperatures forecast to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a severe alert for extreme heat has been declared across a large portion of the south-west.

Widespread Heatwave Warnings Across the Region

These conditions follow recent fires in another state, which caused the destruction of homes and loss of life. Severe heatwave warnings have additionally been issued for the coming days in parts of South Australia and New South Wales, as a system of atmospheric pressure shifts to the east, bringing blazing sunshine to a broad swath of the area.

The mix of tinder-dry land and unbroken heat creates a volatile scenario for emergency crews.

Global Climatic Events Trigger Disruption

Elsewhere, a metropolis was plunged into darkness recently after powerful gusts compromised the city’s electrical network, with falling trees bringing down electricity cables. The weather conditions also caused major travel disruption at a major airport, where numerous flights were grounded. Severe damage to power systems is anticipated to cause further issues as service providers scramble to restore power to over 1 million residents.

Atypical Fog Blankets Sunny Area

At the same time, a valley known for its sunny weather and abundant sunshine has experienced one of its dullest and foggiest periods on record. A specific type of low cloud, which typically lasts for only a few days, has been remarkably widespread and long-lasting this year, keeping temperatures at a major airport under 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in more than three decades. The extended haze has been driven by unprecedented fall rainfall that resulted in the ground saturated.

• Key Factor: Record fall rains saturated the soil.
• Result: Prolonged and dense mist formation.
• Effect: Thermal readings remained below average for an extended period.

Severe Weather Delivers Wintry Weather to Holiday Islands

And in Spain, a weather system has brought heavy rainfall, powerful winds and even snowfall to a set of islands – conditions many would not connect with this favored holiday destination. While snow is not unheard of at elevated areas, the system delivered some of the deepest snow depths in 2016 to a national park, forcing its closure.

Alongside the snow, fierce winds from the north swept across the island chain, with wind gusts reaching 50mph observed on several locations. The influence of the storm is expected to diminish this week with more typical weather returning.