Parts of the Midwest have seen temperatures 15-30C below the climate average, while Australia temperatures hit almost 50C. Disruptive weather has continued to affect the US this week, with a mixture of winter hazards, heavy rainfall and extreme temperatures across the country. Extreme cold warnings have affected more than 90 million people, with parts of the midwest seeing temperatures about 15-30C below the climate average.
Temperatures fell to about -35C earlier this week across states including Montana and North Dakota, with maximum daytime temperatures reaching -15C. Meanwhile, heavy rain and mountain snow affected parts of California on Thursday this week, with further heavy rain and snow expected on Friday. Parts of the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley are expecting 50-100mm from this event, with totals closer to 200mm possible across higher ground. Heavy snow and strong winds will also affect the Southern Cascades, with blizzard conditions and snowfall accumulations reaching 2-5 feet in places.
Extreme temperatures have also been recorded across parts of Australia this week, with a town in South Australia called Oodnadatta recording the state’s hottest February day of 48.7C on Wednesday. Adelaide also recorded its highest temperature in more than five years, with a temperature of 43.3C on Wednesday. Meanwhile in Western Australia, warnings have been issued ahead of Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia, due to make landfall late on Friday. The system has rapidly developed since Tuesday and Australia’s national weather service declared Zelia to be a category five cyclone on Thursday as sustained wind speeds reached 127mph.
Zelia has been slowly moving southwards, and is forecast to make landfall approximately 60 miles west of Port Hedland by Friday evening. Before making landfall, very destructive winds are expected with gusts of up to 100mph possible in coastal areas and warnings of potential winds approaching 200mph near the centre of the cyclone as it crosses the coastline. Sign up to Down to Earth. The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential.
