The extreme heat wave that has hit Western Europe is advancing towards the Balkans, putting most of the region under red alert, while authorities have issued warnings about the risk to citizens’ health.
According to the latest data from European meteorological services, temperatures in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro are expected to reach up to 39 degrees Celsius over the weekend and will remain at very high levels at least until Monday.
The MeteoAlarm agency has set a red alert for most of the Adriatic coast, while Croatia and Serbia have issued special warnings for citizens, recommending avoiding sun exposure during peak hours and continuing to consume water.
Albania is also expected to face temperatures much higher than the seasonal average for the end of June. The thermometer is expected to exceed 37 degrees Celsius, while during the evenings even in the northernmost areas of the country temperatures will not drop below 20 degrees Celsius.
The World Meteorological Organization has announced that the heat wave, which initially hit Western Europe, is gradually moving towards Central Europe and the Balkans. According to forecasts, temperatures in the region will be between 3 and 10 degrees Celsius higher than the normal average for this time of year.
Meteorologists emphasize that such phenomena are becoming increasingly frequent and intense as a result of climate change, while health authorities call on the elderly, children, and people with chronic diseases to take special care in the coming days.