Heatwave Conditions Develop in Southern and Western Europe

Over the past week, sustained high temperatures ranging from 35 to 38°C have been observed in southern Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal, Pakistan, West Asia, southern Central Asia, northwest and southeast India, southern Japan, most of North Africa, southern United States, and northern Mexico. In particular, parts of West Asia, southern Central Asia, most of North Africa, eastern Pakistan, and the southwestern United States have experienced maximum temperatures exceeding 42°C, with localized areas surpassing 45°C (Figure 1).

Over the next week, the subtropical high pressure system will move northward, dominating the central and southern regions of Europe (Figure 2). As a result, high temperatures will gradually develop across most of Southern Europe, southern Western Europe, and southern Central Europe. The maximum temperatures in these areas are expected to range between 38°C and 40°C, with some regions likely to exceed 42°C. Additionally, high temperatures will persist in West Asia, Central Asia, North Africa, the southwestern United States, and northern Mexico (Figure 3).

Figure 1 Observed Maximum Temperatures from August 1 to August 8, 2025 (Unit: °C, Dots Indicate Maximum Temperatures ≥ 35°C)

Figure 2  Average 500 hPa Geopotential Height (Isolines) and Anomalies (Shaded) from August 8 to 14, 2025

Figure 3 Forecast of Maximum Temperatures from August 8 to 14, 2025 (Unit: °C)

Author: Luo Qi                                 Reviewer: Guan Yue 

English reviewer:Wang Yi                                                          Issue approver:Dai Kan