Yellow and orange weather alerts issued for southern Romania, including Bucharest, as storms and hail sweep the region
Meteorologists have issued multiple yellow and orange code warnings for heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail and strong winds across southern Romania on Saturday, with Bucharest under a yellow alert until evening.
Warnings in effect
Romania's National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued a series of severe weather warnings on Saturday, 4 July, covering much of the southern part of the country. An orange code alert for torrential rain, frequent lightning and hail is in force until 15:00 in several localities in Prahova and Dâmbovița counties, including Câmpina, Băicoi and Breaza. Rainfall of 25–30 litres per square metre is expected, with 20–30 l/m² already accumulated in the warned area.
A broader yellow code for atmospheric instability covers Dâmbovița, Prahova, Teleorman, Giurgiu, western Ialomița and Călărași, Ilfov and the capital Bucharest, valid from 10:00 to 20:00. A separate yellow code for strong winds is in place until 23:00 for southern Banat, western Oltenia, most of Moldova, Dobrogea and the Southern and Curvature Carpathians.
Affected areas and expected impacts
In the yellow-code instability zone, torrential downpours, wind gusts of 50–70 km/h, frequent lightning and small hail (1–2 cm) are forecast. Rainfall amounts of 15–25 l/m² are likely in short intervals of one to three hours, with isolated totals exceeding 30–40 l/m². The wind warning area will see similar gust speeds, with no precipitation necessarily attached.
Today we will still have manifestations of atmospheric instability in the Muntenia area, more exactly in Prahova, Dâmbovița, Giurgiu, Teleorman, western Ialomița, Călărași, Ilfov and Bucharest, because here the risk is highest of continuing to have short-duration, quantitatively important downpours. Wind intensification of 50–70 km/h is also possible, and there may be storms. Small hail may also fall.
Bucharest under yellow alert
The capital is under a yellow code from 10:00 to 20:00, with torrential rain, thunderstorms, wind gusts of 50–70 km/h and small hail. ANM forecasts 15–20 l/m² of rain, with isolated spots receiving over 30 l/m². The maximum temperature will drop to around 26°C, a slight cooling from the previous day.
Outlook for Sunday and beyond
Meteorologist Meda Andrei said that Sunday will bring more pleasant weather, with only isolated summer showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will remain close to seasonal norms, with highs ranging from 22°C in Transylvania to 30°C in Oltenia. The unsettled pattern is expected to ease early next week.
