Southern Europe faces scorching heat while Central Europe cools this week

Late September sees two contrasting weather patterns across Europe. A large anticyclone over the southwest creates a summer-like spell, preventing Atlantic fronts from arriving and pushing temperatures in France up to 38 °C, with Spain, Portugal and Italy also experiencing daytime highs near 30 °C and warm nights. The heat is amplified by warm air from North Africa and raises concerns about forest fires and flash floods when cooler air later arrives.

Meanwhile, central Europe, including the Czech Republic, is under the influence of a cold front that has lowered daytime highs to 12-17 °C and brought nighttime frosts, with snow predicted in higher elevations. Meteorologists expect the high-pressure ridge to shift eastward by the end of the month, potentially raising temperatures above 20 °C and even reaching 25 °C in some areas.