Romania heatwave to bring 39°C temperatures and tropical nights, yellow code issued for seven counties

Heatwave onset and yellow code

A heatwave will begin expanding across Romania on July 30, moving in from the western regions. The National Meteorological Administration (ANM) has issued a general information notice valid from July 30, 10:00, to August 3, 10:00, warning of intensifying heat, high thermal discomfort, and tropical nights. A more urgent yellow code will be in effect from July 30, 10:00, to July 31, 10:00, for seven counties: Dolj, Mehedinți, Caraș-Severin, Timiș, Arad, Bihor, and Satu Mare. In these areas, maximum temperatures will reach 33–37°C, the temperature-humidity index (ITU) will exceed the critical threshold of 80 units, and isolated tropical nights will bring minimums around 20°C.

Temperature forecast by region

The first regions to feel the heat will be Banat and Crișana, where thermometers will show 35–36°C on Thursday. By Friday, July 31, maximums will climb to 37–38°C, with isolated spots possibly hitting 39°C in the Câmpia de Vest. Over the weekend of August 1–2, the thermal regime will remain unchanged in the west, but canicular temperatures around 35°C will appear locally in Maramureș, Transylvania, and Oltenia, and isolated in Muntenia and Moldova.

“Over the weekend (August 1-2), the thermal regime will remain unchanged in the west of the country, but canicular temperatures (around 35 degrees) will appear locally in Maramureș, Transylvania, Oltenia and isolated in Muntenia and Moldova.”

Bucharest will see a gradual rise: 32°C on Thursday, 32–33°C on Friday, 33–34°C on Saturday, and 33–35°C on Sunday, with thermal discomfort increasing each day.

Peak intensity and persistence

The heatwave’s maximum intensity is expected between August 3 and 6, with western regions holding at 38–39°C. The ANM warns that the hot spell will continue into the following week (August 3–9), intensifying and bringing widespread canicule and high thermal discomfort. In the south of the country, the heatwave will arrive later, from August 3, and may persist until around August 9. Tropical nights will affect the west and southwest, with minimum temperatures around 20°C, and in the Dealurile de Vest nighttime values will reach 22–24°C.

“From July 30 we will be talking about a heatwave that will expand and intensify gradually in our country, from the western regions, and its maximum intensity will most likely occur between August 3 and 6.”

Causes: heat dome and tropical air

The event is driven by a persistent high-pressure field over Europe and the advance of a very warm air mass from North Africa toward the south, center, and southeast of the continent. Meteorologist Mihai Huștiu of ANM described the setup as an atmospheric blocking pattern.

“These heatwaves that come during summer and persist occur in certain atmospheric blocking configurations or Omega-type configurations. In any case, a heatwave is coming that will settle over southwestern Europe, Spain, France, Germany, and this heatwave begins starting July 31.”

A powerful blocking anticyclone, referred to as a heat dome, will station over Europe for nearly two weeks, according to Severe Weather. By mid-week, the dome’s center will sit directly over Romania, also covering Hungary, Serbia, Poland, and parts of the Balkans. Over the weekend, the center will shift northwest toward Poland and extend into Germany and Scandinavia, though Romania will remain under its influence.

Historical context

July 2026 has been cooler than recent years. The national average temperature through July 27 was 20.2°C, 0.1°C below the 1991–2020 climatological norm. By contrast, past August heatwaves have brought far higher extremes: 41.1°C at Zimnicea on August 14, 2024; 42.2°C at Calafat on August 6, 2017; and 43.5°C at Giurgiu on August 7, 2012. The current heatwave is the fourth extreme event to hit Europe since May.

August 2024 (Zimnicea)41.1

August 2017 (Calafat)42.2

August 2012 (Giurgiu)43.5

August 2024 (Zimnicea)

41.1 °C

August 2017 (Calafat)

42.2 °C

August 2012 (Giurgiu)

43.5 °C

Data from the article text