
11 months · 9 summary articles
A near-nationwide red heatwave alert takes effect on Monday as Romania braces for four days of extreme temperatures, the National Meteorological Administration (ANM) announced on Saturday. The warning covers all counties except six, where an orange alert remains in force, with forecasters warning of record highs up to 41°C and tropical nights where minimum temperatures will not fall below 25°C.
From Monday at 00:00 local time, the red alert will extend across 39 of Romania’s 45 counties, according to the ANM’s latest update . Bucharest will experience a phased escalation, moving from yellow on Saturday to orange on Sunday and red from Monday through at least Wednesday, with peak temperatures reaching 39°C and a heat index exceeding 80 units, indicating severe thermal discomfort.
The current weekend spell has already brought 41°C in the shade to parts of southern and eastern Romania, with the ANM issuing successive yellow, orange, and red warnings valid until Monday morning . The agency noted that the heatwave will intensify and spread, with nighttime temperatures remaining dangerously high. In the capital, authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities during peak hours and check on vulnerable neighbors.
Across Europe, the extreme heat is part of a broader continental pattern. Météo-France reported persistent highs in central and eastern France, while 50 departments remained under red alert on Saturday evening . In Italy, temperatures reached 39–40°C under an African anticyclone, with forecasters warning of a violent shift from heat to torrential downpours . Belgium and the Netherlands also issued red and orange alerts, with severe thunderstorms expected later on Saturday.
Romania’s six counties still under orange alert—likely in the north and northwest—will see temperatures up to 37°C, but the ANM expects the red alert to expand further if conditions worsen . Public health officials have advised avoiding sun exposure between 11:00 and 18:00, drinking plenty of water, and never leaving children or pets unattended in vehicles. Hospitals have activated heatwave protocols, anticipating an increase in heat-related illnesses.
With the heatwave set to persist through at least Wednesday, the ANM’s deputy director, Elena Matei, told Digi24 that the agency is monitoring humidity levels closely, as high dew points could push the heat index even higher . “We are in uncharted territory for June,” she said. “The combination of extreme heat and urban heat islands means Bucharest could feel like 45°C in some areas.”
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