Half a million Australians were without power after bad weather. PHOTO: ANP/EPA/CON CHRONIS Australia and New Zealand are out
Australia is experiencing different forms of severe weather this week. Extreme weather conditions have caused widespread power outages and bushfires in eastern Australia. The west is experiencing a prolonged heat wave and a tropical cyclone may develop in the north.
Western Australia is currently experiencing one of its hottest summers on record. Last week, the state already experienced a heat wave along the West Coast, which continues this week. For Perth, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) expects Thursday to reach 43 degrees, making it the seventh day of summer above 40 degrees.
From Thursday, temperatures will get worse in the area around Broome on the west coast. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued a red warning, the highest level, for an intense heatwave until Tuesday. Extreme to moderate heatwave conditions apply to much of Western Australia and part of central Australia.
Chance of a cyclone in northern Australia
A system is developing in northern Australia that could develop into a tropical cyclone on Thursday or Friday. The Gulf of Carpentaria coast may experience gusty winds and heavy rain, the Met Bank says. The system is expected to move further inland into the central Northern Territory and northwestern Australia over the weekend.
