Europe: High temperatures forecast to persist across southeastern regions through at least Aug. 19 /update 2

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

As of Aug. 16, the various meteorological services for the respective countries have issued the following heat-related warnings across the region:

• Red high-temperature warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Across Bosnia and Herzegovina with the exception of mountainous areas; across Croatia; Baranya, Bacs-Kiskun, Bekes, Csongrad-Csanad, and Tolna counties in Hungary; across Kosovo; across Montenegro; Arad, Caras-Severin, Dolj, Mehedinti, Olt, Teleorman, and Timis counties in Romania; across Serbia; and parts of Banska Bystrica and Nitra regions in Slovakia.
• Orange high-temperature warnings: Across eastern and parts of northern, north-central, and southern Austria; Blagoevgrad Province in Bulgaria; Crete, Dodecanese Islands, Epirus, Ionian Islands, North East Aegean Islands, and West Sterea regions in Greece; Fejer, Hadju-Bihar, Komarom-Esztergom, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Pest, Somogy, and Veszprem counties in Hungary; across the rest of southern, west-central, and western Romania not under red warnings; across the rest of southern and western Slovakia not under red warnings; and across Slovenia.
• Yellow high-temperature warnings: Across parts of central, northern, southern, and western Austria; across parts of central and northern Bulgaria; across the rest of Greece not under orange warnings; Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Heves, Nograd, Szabols-Szatmar-Bereg, Vas, and Zala counties in Hungary; across North Macedonia; across the rest of Romania not under red or orange warnings with the exception of some southeastern regions; and parts of central and eastern Slovakia.

Officials could update and 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 threaten 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.