Southeastern Europe faces ‘long and intense’ heat wave, locally up to 45 degrees

The heat wave is expected to last more than a week. The peak is expected on Monday and Tuesday, with maximum temperatures of 44 degrees on the Greek mainland. But the temperature can already be there tomorrow increase to above 40 degrees. Temperatures are slightly lower on the Greek islands and on the coast. At night it does not get cooler than 25 to 30 degrees.

The director of the Greek KNMI, Theodoris Kolydas, warns about the hot air from Africa. “This is a dangerous weather phenomenon. We’ve been saying it from the beginning of the week.” According to him, the weather conditions are persistent and the temperature will only gradually decrease.”

Against AP . news agency Greek weather experts say the heat wave will be one of the worst since the 1980s, if the heat does indeed last until next week.

wildfires

The Greek authorities fear that the persistent heat will lead to new wildfires. Earlier this week, several forest fires raged in the country, including near the capital Athens. Today the fire brigade has patrolled extra because of the heat.

Civil Defense Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis urges Greeks to act responsibly and cooperatively. He also calls on everyone to avoid unnecessary trips because of the heat.

Not in the sun

Warnings are also sounding in the Balkans. The authorities of, among others, Serbia, Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina advise the population to avoid direct sunlight in the afternoons.

In the Albanian capital Tirana it became more than 40 degrees today:

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