After a brief respite, Czechia braces for another heatwave with highs up to 35°C

After a wavy cold front swept through at the end of the working week, temperatures in Czechia dropped noticeably: while thermometers climbed to nearly 40°C in some places earlier in the week, daily highs over the next couple of days will return to more typical summer values of 25–30°C.

However, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), the hot air mass hovering over Europe hasn't gone anywhere. Already this weekend, an area of high pressure will begin forming over the central part of the continent, drawing very warm air back into Czechia as well. Tropical heat is set to return as early as Sunday, when temperatures across most of the country will once again climb past 30°C.

Super-tropical heat at the start of next week

Things are expected to get even hotter at the start of next week, with daily highs in some areas potentially reaching 35°C — the threshold at which heat is officially classified as super-tropical. ČHMÚ warns that on Sunday and into early next week, residents should brace for significant, and in some areas very significant, heat stress on the body.

"Maximum temperatures above 32°C are expected, along with elevated heat stress. Difficulties in transport, energy supply and livestock farming are possible, along with restrictions on outdoor activity and even risks to human health," the institute states in its preliminary warning.

A brief cool-down followed by a new heatwave

On Tuesday, a cold front will move through Czech territory, but according to current forecasts it will be fairly weak, meaning the cool-down will only be temporary. Most likely, only part of the country will get even a short break from the tropical heat.

What's more, according to several numerical models, the heat could intensify further in the second half of next week. A new area of high pressure is expected to form over Central Europe, and on its back side it could once again channel very warm air in from the west and southwest of the continent.

As a result, Europe may be hit by yet another heatwave next week — the fifth of the year in some regions. In Czechia, temperatures will also gradually rise, and it's quite possible that by the end of the week, daily highs will hover around 35°C for several days in a row, with nighttime lows in many areas failing to drop below 20°C.

Since this forecast looks more than a week ahead, its accuracy remains fairly uncertain. Nevertheless, an increasing number of models agree that Czechia is heading for noticeably warmer-than-usual weather, with the risk of another heatwave looming.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz