Europe braces for intense heatwave as tropical nights loom, climatologist warns

Climatologist Jozef Pecho from the Regional Climatological Institute has warned that a significant heatwave is set to begin in Western and Southern Europe over the coming week. Some regions may experience up to seven consecutive tropical nights, where temperatures do not drop below 20 degrees Celsius. The situation is expected to be intense across large parts of the continent, with central Europe also facing unusually high temperatures.

In Slovakia, models indicate that some localities might experience up to five tropical nights, while the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has issued heat warnings for the districts of Malacky, Senica, and Skalica. A tropical night has already been recorded at Bratislava’s Koliba station. Daytime temperatures in the western parts of the country could exceed 30 degrees Celsius, with the highest readings expected in the Podunajská nížina lowlands.

Across Western and Southern Europe, temperatures may climb to 40–41 degrees Celsius in parts of Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy, while central Europe could see readings 10 degrees above the long-term average. The heat is expected to persist for several days, with thunderstorm risks remaining low initially but isolated strong storms possible in Slovakia's east, potentially bringing hail and gusty winds.

The heatwave comes amid broader climate concerns. The United Nations has warned that climate change, conflicts, and funding shortages are worsening food crises in 13 regions worldwide. The ongoing El Niño pattern is also being monitored by economists for its potential impact on agricultural commodity prices, particularly sugar, cocoa, and coffee.