Romania issues red code heat warning as temperatures forecast to reach 41°C
The Romanian weather service ANM has escalated warnings to a red code for nearly the entire country from Monday, forecasting maximum temperatures of 35–41°C and tropical nights through Wednesday.
Romania's National Meteorological Administration (ANM) has raised its heat alert to the highest level, placing almost the whole country under a red code from Monday morning through Wednesday morning. The heat wave, already gripping the country, will intensify sharply, with maximums reaching 41°C in some regions and nights barely cooling below 25°C.
Escalation over the weekend
Saturday 27 June brought yellow code warnings to Oltenia, Muntenia, Dobrogea and Moldova, with highs of 30–34°C, while Banat, Crișana, Maramureș and Transilvania were under orange code and experienced up to 39°C in the western plains. On Sunday 28 June, the first red code takes effect for 16 counties (including Satu Mare, Maramureș, Bihor, Cluj, Alba, Arad, Hunedoara, Sibiu, Brașov, Covasna, Harghita, Mureș, Bistrița-Năsăud, Suceava and Botoșani), forecasting 35–40°C. Bucharest moves from yellow to orange on Sunday, with an expected maximum around 36°C.
Red code covers almost the entire country from Monday
The red code warning expands massively from 29 June 10:00 to 1 July 10:00, covering Banat, Crișana, Maramureș, Transilvania, Moldova, Oltenia and the western half of Muntenia – essentially the whole country except six counties (Brăila, Buzău, Constanța, Tulcea, Ialomița and Călărași), which remain under orange code. In the red-zone regions, ANM warns of extreme maximum temperatures comparable to all-time June records.
Maximum temperatures will be between 35 and 41 degrees, with the highest values in Banat and Crișana. Nights will be tropical, with minimums generally between 17 and 25 degrees.
Capital faces its hottest period
The special forecast for Bucharest shows the capital progressing through yellow (Saturday), orange (Sunday) and finally red code from Monday to Wednesday. Daytime highs could hit 38–39°C, and overnight lows of 20–23°C will offer little relief. The temperature-humidity index (ITU) will remain above the critical threshold of 80 units throughout.
- Yellow code (Oltenia, Muntenia, Dobrogea, Moldova); orange code (Banat, Crișana, Maramureș, Transilvania). Bucharest yellow, max 32–34°C.
- Red code in 16 counties (Crișana, Maramureș, Transilvania, northern Moldova). Bucharest orange, max ~36°C.
- Red code extended to Banat, Crișana, Maramureș, Transilvania, Moldova, Oltenia and western Muntenia. Bucharest red, max 38–39°C.
- Red code expires. Possible storms in hilly and mountainous areas.
Thermal discomfort and possible storms
The ITU will exceed 80 units in all areas under red and orange warnings, producing severe thermal stress. While the heat dominates, meteorologists note that atmospheric instability will increase on Tuesday afternoon and evening, especially in hilly and mountainous zones, possibly bringing storms.
Dobrogea and eastern Muntenia, though spared the red code, will still see highs from 32°C in the Danube Delta to 38°C elsewhere, with tropical nights and acute discomfort.
