Europe is facing its fourth major heatwave of the season, with Italy and Eastern Europe bearing the brunt of temperatures soaring up to 40 degrees Celsius. Driven by a subtropical high-pressure system originating in North Africa, the extreme weather has triggered red alerts across multiple countries and shattered historical climate records.
Italy Issues Red Alerts for 25 Cities As Temperatures Peak
The Italian Health Department has issued a red alert for 25 major urban centers, including tourism hubs such as Rome, Milan, Naples, and Venice.
Authorities have urged residents and visitors in affected zones to stay indoors and avoid direct sunlight during peak heating hours between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The intense conditions are fueled by a strengthening subtropical high-pressure system hovering over the Mediterranean basin.
Eastern Europe Faces Most Intense Heatwave of the Season
Beyond Italy, widespread extreme heat warnings cover large swathes of Eastern Europe. According to meteorologist Patrick Stoll, countries including Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Croatia are experiencing what is likely their most intense heatwave of the summer.
Did you know? This summer has set climate records across Europe. Austria recorded 40.3 degrees Celsius in Wieselburg on July 31, while Germany logged a national high of 41.7 degrees Celsius in Cochen on June 28, with 252 weather stations simultaneously breaking all-time temperature records.
The Science Behind Europe’s Blocked Weather Patterns
While southern and eastern Europe battle relentless heat, parts of Norway have experienced an unusually cold and grey summer. Climate researcher Erik Kolstad at Norce and the Bjerknes Centre for University of Bergen ranks this summer as the worst for sunshine hours in eight years for Bergen and ten years for Trondheim.
Kolstad explains that the contrasting weather is driven by a blocked high-pressure system. Describing the phenomenon, Kolstad notes that the heavy high-pressure system acts like a large stone in a river, forcing Atlantic low-pressure systems to deflect around the continent. While the high temperatures stem from broader climate change, Kolstad points out that the stubborn persistence of this specific high-and-low pressure distribution is a distinct atmospheric setup rather than a direct consequence of global warming alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the current European heatwave?
Which Italian cities are under red weather alerts?
The Italian Health Department has issued red alerts for 25 cities, including popular destinations such as Rome, Milan, Naples, and Venezia (Venice), where temperatures are forecasted to approach or exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
Why has Norway experienced a cold summer while Europe is hot?
Climate researcher Erik Kolstad explains that a powerful, stationary high-pressure system over continental Europe acts as a barrier, forcing Atlantic low-pressure systems away and leaving northern regions like Norway with cooler, greyer conditions.
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