European heatwaves

The summer of 2024 was the hottest on record in Greece, according to the preliminary data from the Meteo weather service of the National Observatory of Athens.

The season was characterized by prolonged heat waves across the country, with temperatures far exceeding normal seasonal levels.

In the summer of 2024, the average value of maximum daily temperatures ranged at very high levels across the country, compared to the average for the period 2010-2019, according to the dense network of meteo.gr weather stations of the National Observatory of Athens (NAA).

Today, an orange code has been issued for dangerously high temperatures across 17 regions in Bulgaria. The heat will be most intense in the extreme Southwest, the Upper Thracian Plain, and parts of the Danube Plain. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach, and in some places surpass, 40 degrees. This heatwave is forecasted to persist until August 19.

According to meteorological data analyzed by the National Observatory of Athens' Meteorological Service (meteo.gr), July 2024 was the hottest July on record, it was announced on Monday. 

Statement by the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge

In the upcoming days, Bulgaria is set to experience scorching temperatures ranging between 35 to 39 degrees Celsius, with forecasts suggesting even hotter conditions over the weekend. A nationwide warning for dangerously high temperatures has been issued, emphasizing the severity of the heatwave.

More heat expected in western Greece

A heat warning has been issued in Finland from Tuesday to Friday, according to Agence France-Presse. Temperatures are anticipated to surpass 27 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Institute of Finland noted that this is the first time a heatwave warning has been issued in May, a warning typically not seen until June.