Europe is once again entering a period of significant heatwave conditions this week, with the possibility of some record-breaking temperatures.
Sweltering heat has already been affecting Iberia over the past few days, with temperatures 4-5C above the seasonal norm, leading to highs above 40C (104F). Through the rest of this week, the heat is likely to build even more intensely to about 7C above average, with maximum temperatures touching 46-47C in Seville, for instance.
As low pressure develops to the west of Europe, this intense heat across Iberia will surge northwards through France, potentially reaching the UK by the weekend, as well as sweeping eastwards into much of central Europe. The highest temperatures are likely to exceed 40C across parts of France, Germany and even into the Low Countries by this weekend. If the heat does indeed make it to the UK, the all-time temperature record of 38.7C set in Cambridge in July 2019 is at risk of being broken.
Unusually, as the heat persists across western Europe, temperatures in parts of the central and eastern Mediterranean will also rise to about 10C above normal, exceeding the 40C mark across Italy and into the Balkans. By Monday of next week, it could well be that central, southern and western Europe will experience temperatures significantly above the seasonal norm, with heatwave conditions widespread.
There are often strong balances in the atmosphere and, countering the heat across a large part of Europe later this week, Scandinavia and the north-east of Europe will be more unsettled, with temperatures several degrees below the seasonal norm, although this looks like it will be short-lived.
Meanwhile, the Indian monsoon is delivering torrential rain to many parts of the country, with central areas experiencing the worst of the resultant flooding. The Indian Meteorological Department already has red warnings in place, indicating that more than 200mm (8in) of rain may fall in 24-hour periods. Forecast models suggest that further downpours and thunderstorms through much of this coming week may worsen the flooding in these areas, including Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
