Is Romania Prepared for the Upcoming Heatwave and Storms?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Red code alerts indicate extreme heat in Bucharest.
- Orange and yellow alerts are in effect for other regions.
- Temperatures may soar to 41 degrees Celsius.
- Expect strong winds and thunderstorms across the country.
- Stay informed and take precautions to safeguard health.
Bucharest, July 22 (NationPress) Romania's National Meteorological Administration (ANM) has issued several weather warnings on Tuesday, as the country gets ready for a mix of extreme heat and unstable weather patterns.
The national weather agency has declared red code alerts, the highest level in its color-coded warning system, for intense heat in the capital city of Bucharest and various southern counties. Expected temperatures are set to soar between 40 to 41 degrees Celsius, with elevated humidity causing significant thermal discomfort.
ANM categorizes weather alerts into three risk levels: yellow, orange, and red, representing escalating severity from potential risk to extreme danger.
Currently, an orange code alert is active in some southeastern areas, where temperatures may peak at 38 to 40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, several southern and eastern regions have been issued yellow code alerts, expecting daytime highs of 34 to 38 degrees and nighttime lows of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Apart from heat advisories, a distinct yellow warning has been released for unstable atmospheric conditions impacting half of the country, especially in central, eastern, and southern regions, comprising mountainous areas and parts of the Black Sea coast. The forecast predicts strong winds, thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and isolated hail, with rain accumulation reaching up to 40 liters per square meter. This warning is effective from Tuesday noon until early Wednesday.
According to ANM, the heatwave and discomfort are likely to persist over western, southern, and portions of central Romania until the week's end.
On July 20, meteorologist Florinela Georgescu cautioned during a live broadcast on a local media outlet that even more intense heat is anticipated by mid-next week, with temperatures possibly climbing to 40 degrees Celsius in southern Oltenia and Muntenia.
She clarified that a hot air mass from northern Africa is fueling the extreme temperatures across much of Europe. "We are on the northeastern edge of this heatwave, yet we will still feel its full impact," she noted, indicating that the highest temperatures are expected in southern Europe, particularly Greece and parts of Romania in the coming days.
She added that the capital, Bucharest, could also experience highs around 40 degrees Celsius by mid-week.