Southeastern Europe: High temperatures forecast to persist across the region through at least July 12

High temperatures are forecast to persist across much of southeastern Europe through at least July 12. The affected area includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, southern Italy, Kosovo, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia. Temperatures of over 40 C (104 F) are possible in parts of the region over the coming days.

As of July 8, the respective meteorological agencies have issued the following high-temperature warnings across the affected region:

• Orange high-temperature warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Prijedor and Visegrad regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; the North East Aegean Islands in Greece; Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Csongrad-Csanad, Hajdu-Bihar, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, and Tolna counties in Hungary; Basilicata, Puglia, and Sicily regions in Itay; across Kosovo; across Montenegro; and across Serbia with the exception of southwestern and western regions.
• Yellow high-temperature warnings: Across the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina not under orange warnings; across Bulgaria; Dubrovnik, Rijeka, and Split regions in Croatia; across most of the rest of Greece not under orange warnings; Fejer, Heves, Komarom-Esztergom, Pest, and Somogy counties in Hungary; Sardinia Region in Italy; across Malta; across eastern, southern, and western Romania; and southwestern and western regions of Serbia.

Further orange and yellow warnings are in place across much of the region over the coming days, and the highest-level red warnings are in place for parts of southern and central Hungary July 10-11 and parts of eastern, northern, and southeastern Serbia July 10. 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.