Europe braces for another heatwave with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in some areas
Europe is experiencing another heatwave, with temperatures set to rise between 34-38 degrees Celsius across large regions, and even exceed 40 degrees in some areas. These high temperatures are expected between Italy, Hungary, and southern Ukraine. Particularly in Southern Italy, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, and Turkey, temperatures over 40 degrees are possible.
The hottest weather is anticipated in Southeast Europe where there is high pressure. Some of the heat will also move to the Baltics and Finland on Thursday during a period of low pressure.
In Southeast Finland, temperatures could approach heatwave levels before the arrival of rain on Thursday, according to the Foreca’s duty meteorologist Ilkka Alanko. Heatwaves are also possible in southern Finland on Friday, where local temperatures could rise to 25-27 degrees.
The upcoming weekend looks set to be warm. “The air mass in Finland is warm and it is possible to reach heatwave levels. However, rain areas are arriving from the south. The rains will prevent heatwaves,” Alanko explains.
The heatwaves in Europe are set to continue into the week beginning July 15, with temperatures likely to exceed 40 degrees in the Balkans, Italy, and Turkey. According to Foreca, the weather in Spain will become increasingly sweltering, with readings in the south and east of the country likely to exceed 40 degrees significantly.
In Finland, however, the heatwave will recede as the week changes. “The forecast for the next few days is hot, but then the warm air mass will retreat. Next week, there is hardly any heatwave air mass anywhere in Finland. So, the possibility of heatwaves is quite small in the first half of next week,” says Alanko.
The impact of the heat is felt more significantly in cooler countries like Finland compared to Southern Europe. For instance, apartment buildings heat up easily, and people are more susceptible to symptoms from the heat.