First yellow code: Thursday afternoon and evening

The National Meteorological Administration (ANM) activated the first yellow code warning for July 23, effective from 13:00 to 21:00. The alert covers eight counties: Timiș, Arad, Bihor, Sălaj, Satu Mare and Maramureș in the west and northwest, plus Dâmbovița and Prahova in the south. In the western counties, the atmosphere will be highly unstable, bringing wind gusts of 50 to 70 km/h, torrential rain of 15 to 25 litres per square metre, frequent lightning and small hail with diameters of 1 to 2 centimetres. Dâmbovița and Prahova will see heavy downpours of 20 to 40 l/m², lightning and short-lived wind intensifications around 50 km/h. The warning was issued on Thursday morning and remains in force for eight hours.

“In the mentioned interval, in Timiș, Arad, Bihor, Sălaj, Satu Mare and Maramureș counties there will be periods of atmospheric instability manifested by wind intensifications and gales (gust speeds of 50...70 km/h), significant torrential showers (15...25 l/m²), lightning and small hail (1...2 cm). In Dâmbovița and Prahova counties there will be significant showers, lightning, short-term wind intensifications with gusts around 50 km/h. Accumulations of 20...40 l/m² are expected.”

Second yellow code: Friday afternoon and evening

A second yellow code warning takes effect on July 24 from 12:00 to 21:00, covering most of Muntenia, the mountain area, southwest Moldova and southwest Transylvania. This alert warns of torrential rain, lightning, wind gusts of 50 to 70 km/h and hail. Hailstones may reach small to medium sizes, with diameters of 1 to 3 centimetres. Rainfall amounts of 20 to 30 l/m² are expected in short intervals of one to three hours, and isolated locations could see accumulations exceeding 40 to 50 l/m². The area includes the capital region and extends across central and southern Romania.

“In the mentioned interval, in most of Muntenia and the mountain area, as well as in southwest Moldova and Transylvania, there will be periods of atmospheric instability manifested by significant torrential showers, lightning, wind intensifications and gales (gust speeds of 50...70 km/h). In limited areas there will be small and possibly medium-sized hail (1...3 cm). In short time intervals (1...3 hours) and through accumulation, water amounts will be 20...30 l/m² and isolated over 40...50 l/m².”

Bucharest under separate advisory

The capital will experience unsettled weather on both days, with temperatures remaining below the multiannual averages for the last decade of July. On Thursday, the sky will be variable with cloudiness increasing in the afternoon and evening, bringing light showers of 5 to 10 l/m² and lightning. Wind will be light to moderate, with brief intensifications of 40 to 45 km/h during rain. The maximum temperature will reach 25 to 26 degrees Celsius, while the overnight low will drop to 12 to 15 degrees. On Friday, conditions worsen: the afternoon and evening will bring torrential downpours of 10 to 20 l/m², with isolated spots possibly exceeding 25 l/m², accompanied by lightning, wind gusts of 50 to 70 km/h and gales. The high will be 26 to 27 degrees.

ANM to update forecasts

The meteorological administration said it will update the warnings depending on the evolution and intensity of the weather phenomena. Isolated atmospheric instability may also occur in other parts of the country outside the yellow code areas. The forecasts will be refined as radar and observational data become available.