The first heatwave of the year is reaching Romania, after western and central Europe have already recorded record temperatures for late May.
The director of ANM, Elena Mateescu, warns that Wednesday will be the hottest day of this first heatwave episode, with highs reaching 33 degrees Celsius in several regions of the country.
The meteorologist explained, in an intervention on Digi24, that Romania is affected by a very warm air mass that has already brought temperatures close to 30 degrees in the western part of the country and in the capital. "Starting tomorrow, we definitely expect values to exceed 30°, even 33°, with Wednesday being the hottest day of this week and of this first period of warmer weather for this time of year," said Elena Mateescu.
The head of ANM says that such episodes are occurring earlier and earlier in the calendar and are becoming a constant for southeastern Europe. "Summer is starting forcefully. In practice, it is already a tradition to note these episodes earlier in which the weather is warmer than usual," Mateescu stated.
Extreme heatwave in western Europe
At the same time, the specialized website Severe Weather Europe warns that Europe is experiencing a "historic" weather episode for late May, caused by a vast "heat dome" formed over the continent. The phenomenon blocks atmospheric circulation and keeps very warm air close to the ground, leading to unusually high temperatures for this period.
According to the analysis published by Severe Weather, temperatures in some regions of Europe are 12-16 degrees above normal values for the end of May. In recent days, several weather stations in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Benelux countries have exceeded historical records for this period.
In London, temperatures have already reached 32.3 degrees Celsius – the hottest day in May in almost 80 years – while southern Spain, Portugal, and France have surpassed 35-38 degrees. Italy has had temperatures up to 34 degrees, and in Germany and some areas in the Balkans, temperatures have reached 30-33 degrees.
How the "heat dome" works
Meteorologists explain that this "heat dome" functions as an atmospheric cap that prevents cloud formation and the accumulation of cold air. In these conditions, very warm air remains trapped over the continent, and temperatures significantly exceed normal values for this period.
The phenomenon can last for days or even weeks and is often associated with extreme heatwaves and temperature records.
Heat will be followed by storms and a temperature drop
However, ANM warns that, due to high temperatures and increased humidity, episodes of atmospheric instability will occur. Elena Mateescu says that afternoons can bring local showers and increased thermal discomfort.
After the peak of heat on Wednesday, the weather will temporarily cool down. Thursday and Friday, highs will drop to 24-25 degrees, as a cooler air mass from the north penetrates.
However, meteorologists estimate that the cooling will be short-lived, and by the end of May, temperatures will rise again, up to 27 degrees Celsius.