While Canada freezes Australia swelters The mercury has dropped to -42C in Canada while in Australia it has hit +54C as extreme weather is experienced in different parts of the world. The north-eastern US has been hit by a major winter storm, with 53cm (21 inches) of snowfall recorded in one town in Massachusetts. Meanwhile bushfires have been burning in North Stradbroke Island, Australia and temperatures of +54C have been recorded in the town of Oodnadatta.