Romania has experienced one of the coldest summer periods in recent years, as on July 22, record daily lows for maximum temperatures in the history of measurements for this date were recorded at 21 meteorological stations across the country.
ANM meteorologist Raul Ilea explained to Libertatea that the sudden cooling was caused by the intrusion of a polar-maritime air mass over Europe, which later reached Romania as well.
"A cold air mass, a polar maritime air, reached and affected the northern and partially central part of Europe, then moved towards our country, so that, this morning and throughout yesterday, maximum temperatures, as well as the minimum ones, reached record values at certain meteorological stations," stated Raul Ilea.
Maximum temperatures as low as 16 degrees in some areas
In the last 24 hours, Romania went from a heatwave episode to maximum temperatures that, in some regions, did not exceed 16-18 degrees Celsius.
According to the meteorologist, on July 22, maximum temperatures ranged between 16 degrees, recorded in Joseni, Brașov, Făgăraș, Câmpulung, and Boița, and 28 degrees, in Gura Portiței and Amzacea.
At the same time, 21 meteorological stations reported daily records for the lowest maximum temperatures ever recorded on July 22.
"There are 21 records noted for the lowest maximum temperatures at several stations across the country, including in the capital area, at the three meteorological stations. Additionally, three daily records were equaled for the lowest values, from the entire series of observations on July 22, these being Alexandria, Râmnicu Sărat, and Brașov," specified Raul Ilea for Libertatea.
The meteorologist also mentioned that new records for minimum temperatures were recorded on the morning of July 23 at the Mahmudia and Jimbolia meteorological stations.
ANM: In recent years, temperatures have not been so low at this time
According to the ANM specialist, the recorded values are unusual for the second half of July and represent a rare situation.
"In recent years, such low temperature values have not been recorded. There are ups and downs, but this is one of the years when, for July 22, the lowest maximum temperatures were recorded at 21 meteorological stations," stated Raul Ilea for Libertatea.
Weather starts to warm up
However, meteorologists estimate that the cooling episode will be short-lived.
"In the following period, we expect rising temperatures, so the weather will gradually become warm in the western part of the country over the next few days, and at the end of July and the beginning of August, hot weather is forecasted, possibly even heatwaves in the western and southern parts of the country and sporadically elsewhere," declared Raul Ilea for Libertatea.
At the same time, for Thursday, a yellow code warning for torrential rains, thunderstorms, and lightning is in effect in Bucharest, valid between 1:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.