Australia braces for a weather phenomenon not seen in years as Antarctic disruption brings scorching temperatures to some states and destructive storms to others. Sudden warming in the stratosphere above Antarctica is disrupting weather patterns in the southern hemisphere, causing a negative Southern Annular Mode (SAM). During spring, a negative SAM pattern typically brings cold fronts and heavy rains to southern Australia, while delivering warm and dry conditions to northern and eastern Australia. Weatherzone Credit: SuppliedAccording to Weatherzone, the combination of heat and dry weather in northern and eastern Australia will also increase the potential for fires this week. High fire danger is likely over broad areas of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW.