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Extreme heat and intense bushfires have swept through the parched landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures forecast to persist soaring above 40C (104F) over the next few days, a severe alert for extreme heat has been issued across a large portion of the southwestern region.

Widespread Extreme Heat Alerts Across Multiple States

This situation come after this month's bushfires in another state, which caused the loss of properties and loss of life. Severe heat alerts have also been activated for later this week in parts of SA and NSW, as a ridge of atmospheric pressure shifts eastward, delivering intense heat to much of the area.

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

Global Climatic Events Cause Disruption

In another part of the world, a major city was left in blackout last week after powerful gusts damaged the urban electrical network, with toppled trees bringing down electricity cables. The stormy weather also led to major transport delays at a major airport, where hundreds of air services were grounded. Severe damage to electrical infrastructure is expected to create ongoing issues as utility companies work urgently to reconnect electricity to over 1 million inhabitants.

Unusual Fog Blankets Typically Clear Region

Meanwhile, a region known for its clear skies and abundant sunshine has experienced one of its dullest and foggiest weeks on recorded history. A specific type of fog, which typically lingers for only a few days, has been remarkably extensive and persistent this year, holding temperatures at a key transport hub below 8C for more than a week – the most prolonged period in over three decades. The extended fog has been driven by unprecedented autumn precipitation that left soils waterlogged.

• Key Factor: Record autumn rainfall soaked the soil.
• Result: Extended and thick fog formation.
• Impact: Temperatures stayed unseasonably low for an extended period.

Severe Weather Brings Snow to Holiday Islands

And in Spain, a weather system has brought intense rain, strong winds and even snowfall to a set of islands – weather many would not associate with this favored holiday destination. While snow is not unknown at elevated areas, the system brought some of the heaviest accumulations since 2016 to a national park, forcing its temporary shutdown.

Alongside the snow, strong northerly winds swept across the archipelago, with wind gusts reaching 50mph recorded on multiple locations. The influence of the storm is expected to diminish this week with more seasonal conditions taking hold.