FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Europe is experiencing one of the earliest and most intense heat waves in recent years, with record temperatures, fatalities and alerts raised in several countries on the continent.
Meteorologists attribute the phenomenon to a so-called "thermal dome," a powerful high-pressure system that has trapped warm air masses from North Africa over Western Europe. The phenomenon disrupts normal air circulation and has pushed temperatures up to 10-15 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.
The UK is among the worst-hit countries. Authorities report 11 deaths linked to the high temperatures, with London recording a high of 35.1 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature ever recorded for the month of May. The country is also facing tropical nights, with temperatures not dropping below 20 degrees Celsius even at night.
In France, dozens of departments, including the Paris region, have been placed on orange alert. Authorities have reported seven deaths, while temperatures in some areas have reached 39 degrees Celsius. Emergency measures have also been imposed in the Île-de-France region to limit pollution and the effects of the extreme heat.
Spain is also experiencing typical mid-summer temperatures. In southern Andalusia and several other regions, the thermometer is hovering between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius. The city of Badajoz recorded a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius for the first time in May, a record that had not been set in more than seven decades of measurements.
Portugal recorded its highest temperature ever measured for the month of May, at 40.3 degrees Celsius, breaking the previous record set in 2001. Meanwhile, in Italy, the Ministry of Health has declared a red alert in Rome, Florence, Bologna and Turin, warning that the meteorological conditions pose a risk not only to vulnerable groups, but also to the healthy population.
Forecasts indicate that the heat wave could extend to Southeastern Europe in the first days of June. Models from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) indicate a high probability of very warm air masses from North Africa reaching the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to meteorologists, Greece, the Balkans and other areas of Southeast Europe could experience temperatures significantly above the climatic norms of early June. However, experts emphasize that these are medium-term forecasts and that the exact intensity of the phenomenon will be determined by data in the coming days.
As May draws to a close with extreme temperatures across much of the continent, experts warn that Europe could enter a summer with frequent episodes of extreme heat and increasingly difficult weather conditions.
Lini një Përgjigje