Storms and Heat Waves in Romania
After a number of storms, Romania is hit by a heat wave.
Roxana Vasile, 28.06.2017, 13:05
For a few days now, extreme heat has been the norm in Europe. In France, average temperatures have surpassed the record set in 1945, prompting the authorities to pay close attention to the elderly and the homeless. In the center of Portugal, tens of thousands of firefighters have been mobilized to extinguish forest fires that have made numerous victims.
In Spain, the situation is worrying because of the drought, since as early as ten days ago water reserves are at 53% of storage capacity, way below the average in the last five years. An extreme heat alert has been issued in Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. Even in Great Britain, where, by definition, temperatures are clement, there have been record air temperature readings: in London, the 33.9 degrees Celsius recently read on thermometers were above those recorded in June 1976. Romania is no exception.
A heat wave will hit the country in the next few days. A code yellow alert for high heat is in effect starting Wednesday for 12 counties in the west, south and center, with maximum expected temperatures between 33 and 36 degrees Celsius. Starting Thursday, the code yellow alert expands almost all over the country, and also starting Thursday, five counties in the south and southwest are under code orange alert, with maximums expected to hit 40 degrees.
We spoke to Oana Catrina, of the National Meteorology Association: “Starting Thursday, it will grow increasingly warmer in the capital. Sweltering heat will set in. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, maximum temperatures will sway towards 36-37 degrees, possibly 38 degrees in the center of the city.”
Just as it did last year, Bucharest City Hall announced it would install around 20 cooling tents, with medical staff, air conditioning, water and medication. The heat wave comes after a number of storms hitting various areas of Romania, with torrential rains and severe winds, causing widespread damage. Houses were left without roofs and trees were uprooted, causing power-outs. Crops were destroyed, and road traffic was disrupted.
