Unusual heat wave bites Europe: temperatures 12-16°C above normal, reaching locally 40°C or more and wildfires in Spain
An usual severe heatwave has spreaded the last few days across Iberia and France. A high pressure system over the western Mediterranean is spreading northeastwards reaching even the southern parts of Scandinavia, bringing above normal temperatures. Over the next few days temperature rise will spread also to central and eastern Europe with maximum values reaching locally 34-37C.
The earliest heatwave in Spain since 1981 and wildfires: from last weekend Spain is playing a leading role with temperatures reaching locally 40-43°C, temperatures 12-16°C above normal. The warm and dry air are keeping the wildfires alive across the Province of Zamora, the Foral Community of Navarre and in particular the Region of Catalonia. The forests of Corbera d'Ebre, Castellar de la Ribera, Artesa de Segre and Baldomar have been the most affected, with the blaze has already destroyed more than 500 hectares of trees and can be spreaded to 20.000 hectares. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but evacuations has started.
Firefighters continue to fight fire in the province of Zamora. Spain. Some areas have been evacuated.
— BRAVE SPIRIT (@Brave_spirit81) June 17, 2022
Subscribe TELEGRAM: https://t.co/Uw6hADCvaz#wildfire #Wildfires #bushfires #fire #fires #Incendio #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #weather #Climat pic.twitter.com/8lQLgnxqUg
Tomorrow, temperatures will be 2-3°C lower than today, but with still high maximum values reaching 36°C in Madrid and 40°C in Saragosa. An atmospheric "cold pool" which is centered today west of Portugal will head east the next few days bringing a significant temperature drop to Spain, Portugal and France, as well as showers and thunderstorms.
Temperatures above normal also in England and France: second leading role is France with temperatures reaching today 32°C in Paris, while 37°C in Bordeaux, and 38°C in Toulouse. Tomorrow, the heat will be more intense causing temperatures to soar with maximum reaching even 37°C in Paris, 38°C in Bordeaux, 36°C in Lyon. The heat wave also hit England, specially the southeastern cities, with maximum temperatures reaching 30°C in London and 31°C in Cambridge, while a temperature drop is expected from tomorrow.
Record early heatwave hits France as fires flare in Spain https://t.co/uQBJr00j9s pic.twitter.com/5qBmIX0lmY
— FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) June 17, 2022
34-37°C in central Europe on Sunday, while 10°C drop or more in 24h: as the high pressure system will head northeastwards it will bring tomorrow a temperature rise also to central Europe, 12-16°C above normal, with maximum temperatures reaching, 36°C in Frankfurt, 32C in Berlin, 33C in Brussels, 32C in Praga, 20°C in Copenhagen and 22°C in Stockholm. On Sunday, the heat waves will head far east affecting central and eastern Europe with maximum temperatures reaching 32C in Varsovia, 35-36C locally in Poland, 37°C in Berlin, 27-31°C in Belarus. A northern jet stream is bringing arctic air masses to central Europe, causing an extreme temperature drop from Monday with temperatures dropping 10°C or more in 24h. For example, on Sunday Berlin will have 37°C and Prague 34°C, while on Monday it will drop to 22°C!
Over the last few years heat waves are appearing earlier and more intense than they used to, making it as a direct consequence of global warming.