The weather could get even hotter in Romania in the following days, with temperatures expected to reach as much as 43 degrees Celsius in some areas.

Romanian meteorologists even consider issuing a red alert of extreme heat on Friday, June 30, reports local Mediafax.

“On Friday morning, it is possible, based on the materials at this time, to consider issuing a red alert of extreme heat for the Oltenia and Muntenia regions, because temperatures of 40, 42 degrees Celsius are expected in these areas, and even 43 degrees Celsius in the Danube Meadow,” said Elena Mateescu, executive director of the National Meteorological Administration (ANM).

“Taking into the account what month we are in, reaching these values would bring a record for the hottest days in the history of meteorological measurements in Romania; for July 1, the absolute peaks are between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius in Romania,” she added

Meanwhile, ANM issued several alerts of extreme heat on Thursday, June 29.

Two of them target the day of Friday, June 30, and include an orange warning for the counties in southern Banat, most of Oltenia, Muntenia, Dobrogea and southern Moldova regions, as well as the capital Bucharest. In these areas, the temperatures will go up to 39-40 degrees Celsius.

The second one is a yellow alert that covers Crisana, most of Banat, southern Transylvania, and northern and central Moldova.

Two other alerts target the day of Saturday, July 1. On this day, the temperatures will stay around 39-40 degrees Celsius in Oltenia, Muntenia, Dobrogea and most of Moldova, as these regions will be under an orange alert for extreme heat. This warning also includes capital Bucharest.

Meanwhile, most of Transylvania, northeastern Moldova, and southern Banat will be under a yellow alert of heat. Here, the temperatures will stay around 33-36 degrees Celsius.

Five counties are under an orange alert of extreme heat today, June 29, namely Caras-Severin, Mehedinti, Dolj, Olt, and Teleorman. Temperatures there will go up to 39 degrees Celsius, and can even reach 40 degrees Celsius in some areas.

Meanwhile, the rest of Romania is under a yellow alert of heat, with three exceptions, namely Satu Mare, Maramures, and Salaj counties. Temperatures will stay at around 36 degrees Celsius today, including in the capital Bucharest.

Interior minister Carmen Dan said on Wednesday that some 840 ambulances, 270 special vehicles from the emergency rescue service, and nine SMURD aircraft are ready to intervene in Romania during this extremely hot period.

The Romanian Ministry of Health recommends people to avoid going out in the sun between 11:00 and 18:00, to drink between 1.5 and 2.5 liters of liquids a day even if they are not thirsty, but to avoid drinking beverages with a high level of caffeine (such as coffee, tea, cola), to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and to dress properly when going out (wearing sun hats, light clothes made of natural fibers).

After this wave of heat, storms could make a comeback to Romania starting Sunday.

Heat causes road traffic, rail speed restrictions in Romania

Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com