Romania faces extreme heat followed by severe storms across multiple regions

Romania is set to experience a swift transition from a heat wave, with temperatures reaching as high as 37 °C, to a period of severe weather marked by thunderstorms, hailstones and strong gusts. The National Meteorological Administration has released multiple orange and yellow warnings for extreme temperatures, especially in the southern and western regions. As a cooler air mass moves in, atmospheric instability will develop, leading to heavy downpours that can deliver 15-25 liters of rain per square metre in short bursts, and isolated hail of 1-2 cm.

Wind speeds are forecast to reach 40-50 km/h, with gusts up to 60 km/h in certain zones. The most acute heat stress, with a temperature-humidity index surpassing the critical threshold of 80, is expected in counties such as Arad, Olt, Timiș, Caraș-Severin, Mehedinţi and Dolj. Storms are projected to affect the western, northern and central parts of the country, extending to the south, east and centre later in the week.