Romania expands red heat alert as temperatures near 41C

On June 29, Romania expanded its highest-level red heatwave warning to cover almost the entire country, with forecasters warning that temperatures could climb to 41 C and approach June record highs, while thunderstorms are expected to develop in some regions later this week.

Romania's National Meteorological Administration (ANM) said the red alert would remain in force from 10:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on June 29 until 10:00 a.m. on July 1 across Banat, Crișana, Maramureș, Transylvania, Moldova, Oltenia and the western half of Muntenia, Caliber.Az reports, per Romanian media.

Maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 35C and 41C, with the hottest conditions expected in Banat and Crișana. The weather agency said thermal discomfort would be severe, with the temperature-humidity index exceeding the critical threshold of 80.

Dobrogea and the eastern half of Muntenia will remain under an orange heat warning during the same period, where temperatures are expected to reach up to 38C.

Overnight temperatures across much of the country are forecast to remain between 17C and 25C, bringing tropical nights.

Meteorologists said the extreme heat could rival the highest temperatures ever recorded in June in some parts of Romania.

The weather agency also issued three yellow warnings covering June 30 and July 1 for thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds.

On June 30, mountainous and sub-mountainous areas, followed by Crișana, Maramureș and Transylvania, are expected to experience torrential rain, thunderstorms, hail and wind gusts, with isolated rainfall totals of up to 40 mm.

A separate yellow heat warning will remain in place on July 1 for northern Banat, southern Crișana, south-eastern Muntenia and Dobrogea, where the heatwave is expected to persist despite slightly lower temperatures along the Black Sea coast and in the Danube Delta.

Later on July 1, southern Banat, Oltenia, most of Muntenia and mountainous regions are forecast to face renewed atmospheric instability, bringing torrential rain, hail and wind gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour.

The ANM said isolated storms could also develop elsewhere in the country.

By Aghakazim Guliyev