Romania under red heatwave alert as temperatures hit 41°C and severe storms approach

Extreme heat and record-challenging temperatures

On June 30, nearly all of Romania is under a red heat alert, issued by the National Meteorological Administration (ANM). The alert is in effect from 10:00 local time until July 1, 10:00. Only the counties of Tulcea and Constanța are under an orange alert, where temperatures will be slightly lower but humidity will still cause severe discomfort. Maximum temperatures will range between 35 and 41 degrees Celsius, with the highest values in the Banat and Crișana regions. Nights will be tropical, with minima generally between 17 and 25 degrees. The temperature-humidity index (ITU) is expected to exceed the critical threshold of 80 units.

“We will record extreme maximum temperatures, comparable to the absolute records for June, and the thermal discomfort will be particularly accentuated.”

Banat & Crișana40

Maramureș (Satu Mare)41

Moldova (south)40

Moldova (north)38

Oltenia40

Muntenia (Danube Lunc)40

Dobrogea (inland)38

Bucharest39

Banat & Crișana

40 °C

Maramureș (Satu Mare)

41 °C

Moldova (south)

40 °C

Moldova (north)

38 °C

Oltenia

40 °C

Muntenia (Danube Lunc)

40 °C

Dobrogea (inland)

38 °C

Bucharest

39 °C

Data from the article text

Storms and severe weather warnings

In addition to the heat, the weather service has issued yellow and orange alerts for severe storms starting from the afternoon. A yellow alert covers most of the western, central, and northern regions, where torrential rain, wind gusts of 50–70 km/h (isolated over 80 km/h), frequent lightning, and small to medium hail are expected. An orange warning for violent gales is in place from 14:00 to 20:00 for counties including Hunedoara, Alba, Sibiu, Brașov, Mureș, and Harghita, with gusts reaching 70–90 km/h, hail up to an inch in diameter, and locally heavy downpours accumulating 25–40 litres per square metre in short periods.

The Saharan heat dome

The extreme conditions are driven by a "fire dome" or anticyclone that originated in the Sahara Desert in mid-June. The mass of hot, dry tropical air travelled across Western Europe between 15 and 22 June, breaking temperature records in Spain and France. Since 24 June, the high-pressure system has remained stationary over Romania, acting like a lid that compresses and heats the air further while blocking cloud formation. This prevents any nighttime cooling, leading to tropical nights and amplifying the daytime heat.

“In the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, atmospheric instability will increase, especially in hilly and mountainous areas.”

Regional details

In Dobrogea and the Bărăgan plain, inland areas will see around 38°C, while the coast will be cooler at 30–33°C but with high humidity. Southern Moldova and northern Muntenia may hit 40°C. In the north, Satu Mare is forecast to reach 41°C. The capital Bucharest expects 39°C under intense sunshine. Oltenia and the Danube floodplain will also swelter at 39–40°C, with ITU exceeding critical levels.

Outlook and precautions

The red alert expires on the morning of July 1, and meteorologists expect a slight cooling from mid-week. Until then, authorities urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure, and take extra care during the upcoming storms.