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Extreme heat and intense bushfires have devastated the parched landscape of Western Australia. With mercury levels forecast to persist soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, a major alert for extreme heat has been declared across much of the southwestern region.

Widespread Extreme Heat Alerts Across Multiple States

These conditions come after this month's bushfires in New South Wales, which caused the destruction of homes and loss of life. Severe heatwave warnings have also been issued for later this week in parts of South Australia and NSW, as a system of high pressure moves eastward, delivering intense heat to a broad swath of the region.

The combination of tinder-dry vegetation and relentless high temperatures presents a volatile scenario for firefighters.

Global Weather Extremes Cause Disruption

Elsewhere, a metropolis was left in blackout last week after strong winds compromised the city’s power grid, with toppled trees knocking out power lines. The weather conditions also caused major transport delays at a key airport, where numerous air services were grounded. Severe damage to electrical infrastructure is expected to create further problems as service providers scramble to restore power to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Unusual Fog Blankets Sunny Region

Meanwhile, a region famed for its sunny weather and plentiful sunlight has experienced one of its dullest and foggiest periods on recorded history. A specific type of fog, which usually lingers for only a short time, has been unusually extensive and long-lasting this year, holding the mercury at a key transport hub below 8C for over a week – the longest such streak in over three decades. The extended haze has been fuelled by exceptional fall precipitation that resulted in the ground saturated.

• Primary Driver: Exceptional autumn rainfall saturated the ground.
• Outcome: Extended and dense fog development.
• Impact: Temperatures remained unseasonably low for an extended period.

Storm Delivers Wintry Weather to Holiday Destination

And in Spain, a powerful storm has brought intense rainfall, strong gales and even snow to a group of islands – conditions many would not associate with this favored tourist spot. While wintry precipitation is not unknown at elevated areas, the system brought some of the heaviest snow depths in 2016 to a protected area, compelling its temporary shutdown.

Alongside the snowfall, strong winds from the north swept across the archipelago, with wind gusts reaching 50mph observed on several islands. The influence of the weather event is expected to ease this week with more seasonal weather returning.