- The heat wave in Europe broke many temperature records at the end of June.
- Current temperatures in Europe correspond more to the turn of July and August.
- Extreme heat damages human health, ecosystems, agriculture and labor productivity.
- The heat wave will hit central Europe and the Balkans, affecting approximately 150 million inhabitants.
The heat wave in Europe has broken several temperature records, and its full impact will be assessed only after it ends. However, it is already obvious that current temperatures are more typical of late July or August. This was reported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Friday, AFP writes.
WMO spokeswoman Clare Nullis told a news conference in Geneva on Friday that the massive heat wave that hit Europe at the end of June had “broken many temperature records”. She added that extreme heat has consequences for human health, ecosystems, agriculture and labor productivity. In some areas, especially in France, it also worsens the drought, increases the risk of forest fires and contributes to the occurrence of local storms.
In its statement, the WMO added that it supports coordinated plans to protect the population from heat in order to save lives and help make decisions to mitigate economic damage and other consequences.
According to forecasts, the heat wave from the west of Europe will move more eastward from Friday – to central Europe and the Balkans. while temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius will affect approximately 150 million people there. Temperatures of up to 39 degrees are expected in parts of Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro. A heat warning is in effect on most of the Balkan coast of the Adriatic Sea from Friday – temperatures above 35 degrees are expected.
“We’re going to have to get used to it, unfortunately,” Nullis said. She added that only after the end of the summer will it be possible to definitively assess whether it was a record heat wave, as it is still continuing as a meteorological phenomenon. Climatologists have already proven that repeated heat waves are a clear indicator of climate change, which is mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels by humans. Such heat waves are expected to become more frequent, longer and more intense.
