Another heat wave is expected to hit Europe this week. With little rain and parched ground, the "heat dome" phenomenon, in which a high-pressure system traps hot air near the surface, is intensifying and raising the risk of wildfires. This heat wave is the fifth so far this summer since May.
On the 9th (local time), according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the Fire Weather Index (FWI) is expected to remain at the highest level, "very extreme," in parts of Europe at least through the 12th.
This includes southern Britain, northwestern France, and the region stretching from the Alps to the Balkans. The Iberian Peninsula, central and southern France, and parts of the western Balkans are forecast to face a one-step-lower "extreme" level of wildfire risk.
Wildfire risk in central and eastern Europe, Türkiye, and parts of North Africa was assessed as "very high." Most of northern Scandinavia and eastern Europe face relatively low risk, but some areas still show a high likelihood of wildfires.
On the 12th, as the heat wave continues, a total solar eclipse is expected to be visible in Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Spain.
Spain's national meteorological agency (AEMET) expected the country's wildfire risk index (IPIF) to reach the highest level, "extreme," or the next level down, "very high," across most regions that day. Conditions are expected to be mostly clear or partly cloudy.
Daytime temperatures across Spain are forecast to easily exceed 35 degrees during the heat wave. In some southern areas, temperatures could rise to 42 degrees through the 12th.
As of the 9th, heat alerts have been issued across parts of Western, Central, and Southern Europe.
According to the U.S. daily New York Times (NYT), the highest-level red alert has been issued in western and southern Italy and western Croatia. Italy has been baking since the 6th.
Italy's Health Ministry issued red alerts for all 27 cities under heat surveillance. On the 9th, temperatures in parts of Sardinia and Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Campania, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily were forecast to exceed 40 degrees. The heat wave in western, central, and southern Italy is expected to persist throughout the week.
Météo-France warned that a new heat wave will begin on the 11th, further increasing wildfire risk. From the 12th to the 14th, temperatures in most of France are expected to climb to around 35 degrees, approaching 40 degrees in some areas.
Britain's Met Office said temperatures will begin to rise on the 11th, with parts of East Anglia and southeastern England potentially reaching 36 degrees on the 13th.
If the forecast holds, Britain will have recorded temperatures of at least 35 degrees for four consecutive months, from May through August.