Significant heatwave developing over Europe after unusually cold spring

Forecast models suggest the first significant heat wave of the season is developing over Europe after an unusually cold spring affecting much of the continent. The heat is forecast to persist through the end of June, reaching 35 °C (95 °F) and more in some places.

The first countries to feel the change will be northern Spain, entire France, and Germany through June 14, followed by unusually high temperatures in Switzerland and parts of Austria on June 15.

Hot temperatures are then expected to settle over most of France and Germany, spreading NE toward Poland, the Baltic Sea, Lithuania, Belarus, and further NE by June 19.

The worst is expected over Germany, northern Italy, Corsica, and Sardinia on June 20 and then briefly over entire France on June 25 moving east toward the Balkan Peninsula.

A respite from hot temperatures is expected from June 26, beginning over Portugal and Spain and spreading toward Germany by June 28. Balkan Peninsula, however, will still be very hot at least until June 29.

The heat comes after unusually cold spring over a large part of Europe — 1 to 2 °C (1.8 – 3.6 °F) below average across central and western Europe and more than 3 °C (5.4 °F) colder over the Balkan Peninsula in April. Some regions had a monthly average of about 2 – 3 °C (3.6 – 5.4 °F) below normal in May.

"That is actually pretty impressive, especially if we see both months were much cooler than usual," Marko Korosec of Severe Weather Europe said.

Image credit: NOAA/PSL, Marko Korosec/SWE

Featured image credit: TropicalTidbits, GFS