US weather: Record-shattering cold reaches as far south as Florida; parts of Niagara Falls freeze over

A record-shattering arctic cold in the United States has reached as far south as Florida, with freeze warnings in place from Texas to the Atlantic Coast and the north-east of the country facing another cold wave at the end of the week, forecasters said.

The brink of the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls turns to
icicles as the area is hit with a cold blast.

Temperatures were from 11 to 17 degrees Celsius below normal across the US east of the Rocky Mountains, with only southern Florida untouched by the arctic blast.

"That degree of cold will be with us until tomorrow," National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Hurley said.

"Tuesday morning, we're looking at temperatures with very high probability of record lows."

Along Alabama's Gulf Coast, the temperature in the city of Mobile could hit a low of -9C overnight.

Read the ABC News story - “US weather: Record-shattering cold reaches as far south as Florida; parts of Niagara Falls freeze over.”

Farming anguish as drought-hit southern Tasmania prays for rain, while north welcomes rainfall

It's a tale of two very different seasons.

Tasmanian farmer Charlie Archer has watched
the dry soil blowing away in the winds.

While Tasmania's north and north-east farming districts are experiencing almost unprecedented rainfall and lush spring pastures, in the state's south and east coast regions, it's one of the worst years for drought on record.

That has growers and graziers in affected areas very worried, with many describing the situation as "desperate" and "on a knife-edge”.

With a record dry winter, a dry frosty start to spring, little rain on the outlook and a long, hot, bushfire-prone summer forecast, farmers are struggling to grow crops and sustain livestock.

Read the ABC News story by Peta Carlyon - “Farming anguish as drought-hit southern Tasmania prays for rain, while north welcomes rainfall.”

A million hectares destroyed as Kimberley bushfire continues to spread

Graders are working around the clock
to build fire breaks in the Kimberley.

A million hectares has now been burnt by a bushfire ripping through the heart of Western Australia's Kimberley region.

Started by a lightning strike in late September, the fire has affected several cattle stations along the iconic Gibb River Road, including Ellenbrae, Karunjie, Drysdale and Mt Elizabeth Station.

Pat Lacy from Mt Elizabeth said the fire had swept through the north-east boundary of the station and destroyed a lot of country.

"We've only got a third of the property left," she said.

Read Matt Brann’s story on ABC Rural - “A million hectares destroyed as Kimberley bushfire continues to spread.”