Intense heat to roast most of Europe through midweek

An intense heat wave that began over the weekend across western and central Europe will linger into at least the middle of the week for many locations.

By Monday, temperatures near 32 C (90 F) were reported in Paris, Frankfurt, Berlin and Warsaw. Similar heat is forecast to remain over the region into Wednesday before cooler air spreads from west to east across northern Europe on Thursday and Friday.

While this heat will not be as intense as the record-setting heat waves of late June and July, many locations will have at least three consecutive days with temperatures at or above 32 C (90 F).

Residents should be sure to drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest times of the day. Residents should ensure that the elderly, children and pets have sufficient ways to stay cool. Finding shade is also important in order to get out of the direct rays of the sun.

Remember that locked vehicles without air conditioning can quickly become death traps for children and pets.

As cooler air arrives, temperatures will return to more seasonable levels across northern Europe. The threat of showers and thunderstorms will also accompany this cooler air as it arrives.

A few locations may get locally severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and the risk of travel-disrupting downpours and lightning.

A high temperature of 24 C (76 F) is forecast for Paris on Thursday. Temperatures could climb briefly to start the weekend before another shot of cooler air settles over northern France from Sunday into next week.

Berlin can expect temperatures to drop to around 26 C (79 F) by Friday. Temperatures will return to around 30 C (86 F) this weekend before lowering back to near 25 C (77 F) for most days next week.

The cool air will lose its punch as it tracks farther east with just a slight downward trend in temperatures expected in Warsaw by Saturday with a high temperature of 28 C (83 F). Temperatures will quickly rebound back to around 32 C (90 F) on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the heat wave will last through the upcoming weekend from northern Italy into the Balkan Peninsula.

Daily high temperatures near 32 C (90 F) are expected in Milan and Bologna. Similar heat is forecast in Zagreb, Bucharest and Tirana into early next week.

AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting more seasonably warm spells across much of Europe from September into early October.

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