Red alert for extreme heat in Romania; temperatures to hit 40C

Romania is bracing for severe heat as the National Meteorological Administration (ANM) has issued a red code alert for extreme temperatures in three western counties: Satu Mare, Bihor, and Arad. The alert is in effect from Sunday morning until Monday morning, with forecasts predicting temperatures soaring to 39-40 degrees Celsius, nearing record highs for early August.

The intense heatwave, now in its third consecutive day in these areas, is expected to bring significant thermal discomfort. The temperature-humidity index (ITU) will surpass the critical threshold of 80 units. Nights will offer little respite, with minimum temperatures ranging between 19 and 25 degrees Celsius, particularly in the Western Hills region where tropical nights are anticipated.

An orange code alert has been issued for eight other counties, including Timiș, Hunedoara, Alba, Mureș, Cluj, Sălaj, Bistrița-Năsăud, and Maramureș. In these regions, maximum temperatures are forecast to reach 35-38 degrees Celsius, with the ITU also exceeding 80 units. Tropical nights are also expected here, with minimum temperatures between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius.

A yellow code is active across western and southern Oltenia, southern Banat and Transylvania, and the northern half of Moldova. Temperatures in these areas will climb to 33-37 degrees Celsius. The heatwave is expected to continue until August 5, with the heat intensifying in southern and southeastern Romania from Tuesday, August 4.