Extreme heat wave “paralyzes” western Europe, with record-breaking temperatures, fatalities and constant warnings from experts.
The temperatures recorded in recent days are affecting much of Western Europe, with authorities in several countries on high alert. Meteorologists do not rule out the possibility that temperatures could even reach 45 degrees Celsius, while in some areas, emergency measures have been taken to protect citizens from the heat.
Despite the intense heat wave affecting countries such as Spain, Portugal and France, Greece remains outside the main path of the very hot air masses.
Why the heat wave did not affect Greece
According to meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias, the reason the heat wave isn’t affecting Greece is the northerly winds, “the north winds that are pushing this hot air mass westward, reaching up to 8 Beaufort in recent hours,” as he noted.
In her own forecast, ERT meteorologist Anastasia Tyraski states that “we have a combination of atmospheric instability and the meltemi winds. Both of these factors protect us from extreme temperatures.”
She went on to comment that: “This is good news because it appears that this heat wave affecting Western and Central Europe will not affect us,” and she went on to explain that what is happening in Greece is that “certain weather disturbances passing through are preventing this heat dome from reaching our country and, combined with the meltemi, which brings cooler air masses from northeastern Europe toward our country. Temperatures are staying near seasonal averages, so they’re quite pleasant, and it looks like we’ll stay this way through the entire month of June.”
