Europe Braces for Another "Heat Dome": Temperatures Up to 40°C and Rising Wildfire Risk

As early as this weekend, Western and Central Europe will face another spell of intense heat: driven by a high-pressure system and a southerly airflow, temperatures in many regions will climb to 35°C. On Tuesday, a cold front will bring cooler air to Central and Eastern Europe, but the heat will hold firm in the west and south of the continent, where a new phenomenon known as a "heat dome" is set to form.

A heat dome is a meteorological phenomenon in which a powerful high-pressure system acts like a lid on a pot: descending air is compressed and warms up, while the high-pressure zone blocks any change in weather. The result is prolonged and unusually intense heatwaves.

Where It Will Be Hottest

The peak of the new heatwave in western and southern Europe is expected between Tuesday and Friday. During these days, temperatures in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal could reach 40°C. The UK and the Benelux countries will also see readings well above average, with highs potentially topping 35°C.

The extreme heat in the southwest of the continent will create a stark contrast with cooler conditions on the opposite side of Europe. For a few days after the cold front passes, Central Europe will sit right on the boundary between these two air masses. In Czechia, typical summer weather will persist during this period, with daytime highs mostly ranging from 25 to 30°C.

The Heat Will Reach Central Europe Too

However, later in the week the heat dome will expand eastward, bringing the heat to the central part of the continent as well. It was Central Europe that was hit by a powerful heatwave with temperatures around 40°C in early August, breaking both monthly and all-time temperature records.

Now the region needs to prepare for another spell of hot weather. Since it isn't expected to begin for another week, its intensity and duration remain uncertain. Still, forecasting models agree on one point: temperatures could once again climb above 35°C. So far, nothing suggests the new wave will be as extreme as the previous one.

Nevertheless, another prolonged and widespread bout of intense heat is shaping up for Europe in 2026. For some regions, particularly in Western Europe, this will already be the fifth heatwave of the year — underscoring just how exceptional this summer has been.

The fresh bout of extreme heat will worsen the drought that has already gripped many regions at severe or extreme levels for several weeks running. The risk of wildfires will rise as well — fires have already burned more than 500,000 hectares across Europe this year, a record for this time of year.

Source: novinky.cz