The area under the red code heat wave warning extends on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures expected to reach 42 degrees, according to the National Meteorological Administration. Practically, three quarters of the country will be under the red heat code, while several counties of Maramureş and Transylvania will be under the orange code.
Doctors recommend the population to avoid exposure to the sun, dark clothing and travel at lunchtime. Nine counties from Maramureş and Transylvania will be under an orange heatwave code on Monday and Tuesday, while the rest of the country is covered by a red heatwave code, according to ANM.
“In Maramureş and in most of Transylvania, the heat wave will persist and intensify.It will be hot, and the maximum temperatures will be 35…40 degrees. The thermal discomfort will be accentuated, and the temperature-humidity index (ITU) will exceed the critical threshold of 80 units. Locally, the thermal minimums will not drop below 20 degrees, so they will characterize tropical nights”, ANM reports.
The rest of the country will be under a heat red code. The affected areas are Crisana, Banat, Oltenia, Muntenia, Moldova, Dobrogea and southwest Transylvania.“In Crisana, Banat, Oltenia, Muntenia, Moldova, Dobrogea and southwest Transylvania, the heat wave will continue to intensify. Maximum temperatures between 37 and 42 degrees will be recorded, and on the coast they will be 33…36 degrees. The thermal discomfort will be particularly accentuated, and the temperature-humidity index (ITU) will exceed the critical threshold of 80 units.The thermal minimums will not drop below 22 degrees, so they will characterize tropical nights”, Romanian meteorologists announce.
The heat wave will persist throughout the country in the coming days.
Summer 2024 to be Romania’s hottest on record, regardless of August temps
The month of July this year is so far the warmest in Romania’s weather history – over July 2012 – and will surely end up in the top of “Cuptor’s” warmest months. With June being unusually warm and July also well above average, the summer of 2024 has every chance of being the warmest on record, regardless of what August turns out to be like.
In the first 13 days of July, the average temperature in the country was 24 C, above the warmest July so far, that of 2012.
The difference with July 2012 is that then there were not so many days with temperatures of 40-42 C, as there were and will be in the current month, but then there were constant temperatures well above average. It’s impossible to say where July will rank among the hottest months, given that we’re only halfway through. It will be clear in the first places.
It is obvious that we are going to have a record summer, especially since June was over 3C above normal and in some places the average was almost 5C higher.
How to explain the unusually high temperatures during this period
ANM climatologist Roxana Bojariu says, in an interview for Radio Romania Cultural, that Romania and other neighboring states are in the middle of a very hot air mass coming from the north of Africa, our country strongly feeling the effects of the heatwave, with the related dome that and -he built it through the specific conditions.
“This transport of very warm air from the north of Africa is now directed to the territory of Romania. We are somehow in the epicenter. Obviously not only Romania, but clearly we are in the direction of this transport and that means that this heat wave is felt the strongest here, with the related dome that it built through the specific conditions. That is, we have high atmospheric pressure and this transport is done by adding more and more warm air, not only to the surface, but also to a fairly high height from the surface, so that we have a huge mass of very warm air, which, under high pressure conditions, which inhibits the formation of convective clouds, for example, it further accentuates and tends to retain heat in this area. It’s a blockage of the atmospheric circulations that, usually from the West, bring storms that refresh the very hot air in the summer with these torrential precipitations that appear even against this background of instabilities. We are surrounded now by all these weather systems that bring precipitation and basically the warm air mass is stationary and self-perpetuating this situation, hence the duration and intensity. We are now the center of this heat dome. In other cases, the transport axis was in other regions. So that also differentiates. But otherwise, we are dealing with a heat wave that is becoming more and more normal as global warming supplies increased heat and water vapor to weather systems. Then, what we had as a heat wave several decades ago is somewhat less intense than what we have now”, explained Roxana Bojariu, climatologist at the National Meteorological Administration, ANM.
She also said that the axis on which the air mass moves varies from year to year depending on the evolution of the climate system and its elements, against the background of climate warming that influences all these processes.
For example, in 2003, 70,000 people died in Europe due to heat stress, when a heat wave lasted a long time, and Romania was on the periphery of this phenomenon, the effects being visible, but not as much as in western Europe.
Recommendations for the Population
Specialists from the General Directorate of Social Assistance of the Municipality of Bucharest have issued a series of preventive measures to follow during the extreme heat wave, which can have negative effects on health.
Adequate Hydration
Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee, and fizzy drinks, as they can contribute to dehydration.
Appropriate Clothing
Wear light, light-colored clothing made from natural materials like cotton that allow the skin to breathe. Use wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
Sun Protection
Apply sunscreen with an appropriate SPF before going outside. Reapply regularly, especially after sweating or contact with water.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Stay indoors during peak hours (10:00 – 18:00) when the sun’s radiation is strongest. If you must go outside, seek shady areas and take frequent breaks in the shade or cool places.
Use of Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Keep your home well-ventilated. Use fans or air conditioning to cool the rooms. If you don’t have air conditioning, spend time in air-conditioned public spaces like malls or libraries.
Light Food
Eat light meals rich in fruits and vegetables, which have high water content. Avoid heavy and high-fat foods that can cause additional discomfort.
Monitoring Vulnerable People
Pay special attention to children, the elderly, and people with chronic medical conditions, who are more sensitive to extreme heat. Regularly check their health status to ensure they are well-hydrated and cool.
Physical Activity
Limit vigorous outdoor activities during the heat wave. If you must exercise, choose cooler times of the day, such as early morning or late evening.
Recognizing the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke
Specialists recommend being aware of symptoms of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Symptoms of heatstroke may include dry and hot skin, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
What is the State doing for the forest protection? I don’t see anything! Most forest fires start from silly barbecues or farmers burning cut branches or psychopath pyromaniacs. Simple solution: Ban during July and August all open fires and drone monitor the forests.