Europe: High temperatures forecast to persist across the region through at least July 19 /update 2

High temperatures are forecast to persist across southern and southeastern Europe through at least July 19. The affected area includes much of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Temperatures in excess of 40 C (104 F) are possible in parts of the region over the coming days.

As of July 12, the respective meteorological agencies have issued the following high-temperature warnings across the affected region:

• Red high-temperature warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Across Croatia; across central, eastern, and southern Hungary; Puglia and Sicily regions in Italy; across Kosovo; and across Serbia.
• Orange high-temperature warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Across Bosnia and Herzegovina; across Bulgaria; East Macedonia, the Ionian Islands, the North East Aegean Islands, and Thrace regions in Greece; across the rest of Hungary not under red warnings; Marche Region in Italy; across Montenegro; across North Macedonia; across most of Romania with the exception of some northern, north-central, and far southeastern regions; and across Slovenia.
• Yellow high-temperature warnings: Across most of the rest of Greece not under orange warnings; Abruzzo, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Molise, Sardinia, Tuscany, and Umbria regions in Italy; across Malta; and the rest of Romania not under orange warnings.

Further red, orange, and yellow warnings are in place across much of the region over the coming days. Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.

The high temperatures may result in increased energy and water demand and a heightened risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The extended period of oppressive heat and dry conditions may produce ideal circumstances for wildfire growth throughout the region. Heatwaves also pose a threat to vulnerable groups - such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with respiratory illnesses - due to the increased possibility of heat stroke or heat exhaustion during prolonged exposure to high temperatures. These health risks could also extend to relatively healthy individuals during significant heatwave events.

Very high temperatures may warp rail tracks and force passenger and freight trains to operate at reduced speeds. Road surface damage is also possible, and overheated vehicles may worsen traffic problems in urban areas where congestion is already a problem. Commercial trucking disruptions might occur as very high temperatures stress vehicles, making tire blowouts more common. Major flight disruptions are unlikely, but general aviation disruptions are possible, and some airfreight carriers could reduce cargo loads. High temperatures could lead to an increased demand for electricity, which might trigger localized brownouts or blackouts, exacerbating hazardous conditions when air conditioning is no longer possible.