Another heatwave is set to sweep across Europe in late September
Illustrative photo (RBC-Ukraine collage)
Late September and early October will be exceptionally hot across much of Europe. Temperatures in many countries could be 10–14 degrees above the long-term average, according to Blikk.
Scorching heat returns to Europe
Unusually warm weather will reach much of Europe at the end of September.
Due to warm air from North Africa and the Mediterranean, temperatures in some areas could reach 40 degrees Celsius.
The extreme heat will be caused by the formation of a so-called heat dome. This is a large and persistent area of high pressure that literally traps hot air and keeps it over the region for several days or even weeks.
The situation is currently being intensified by a strong southwesterly flow between:
- a low-pressure system over the Atlantic,
- an area of high pressure developing over Europe and carrying extremely warm air deep into the continent.
Where it will be hottest
According to meteorologists’ forecasts, the hottest temperatures are expected on the Iberian Peninsula:
- in central and southern Spain and Portugal, highs of around 35–38 degrees Celsius are expected by the end of the week
- in some areas, temperatures could even approach 40 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, in southern and central France, peak temperatures will be around 35 degrees Celsius.
In the north and the Benelux countries, temperatures could rise to around 30 degrees.
For a short period, temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius are also possible in southern and central parts of Britain.
When to expect the heat
Warmer air masses will reach Central Europe from the weekend, gradually spreading to the northeast:
- in Germany — highs of 27–29 degrees,
- in northern Italy and Tuscany, northern and central parts of the Balkans, and Greece — around 28–30 degrees.
The scorching conditions could persist into the first days of October, while warm air may continue moving farther north and east.
Where it will remain cool
However, completely different weather is expected in western Europe: in western Ireland, Scotland and southwestern Norway, mountainous areas could receive more than 150 millimeters of rainfall in some places by the beginning of October.
Earlier, we reported that the heat in Europe this year began as early as spring, with temperature records recorded in May.
In addition, four record-breaking heatwaves that hit Europe this summer may have caused at least 35,000 deaths.
