After a spell of record-breaking heat last week, eastern Europe and western parts of Russia will experience further unseasonable warmth in the next few days. The burst of mid-spring warmth began during the middle of last week, when temperatures climbed to the high 20s celsius in eastern Germany and Poland. By Friday, the northern coastal town of Łeba in Poland recorded a maximum temperature of 29.6C (84.2F), nearly 20C above the town’s April average.
By the end of the week, the heat had spread eastwards into the Baltics and western Russia, bringing record-breaking temperatures there during the day and overnight. In Lithuania, four stations climbed to above 29C on Friday, smashing the country’s April maximum temperature record of 23.1C, set 66 years ago in 1959. Neighbouring Latvia and Estonia also set new national April temperature records late last week, registering maximum temperatures of 28.4C and 28.8C respectively.
While there was a slight cooling trend at the weekend, a broad area of high pressure centred over Russia is likely to sustain well above average temperatures during much of this week. Belarus and western Russia, including Moscow, are expected to have temperatures 10-15C above the seasonal average through to the middle part of this week.
However, a reversal of fortunes is likely by the weekend. As high pressure builds over north-west Europe, colder air from the north is forecast to sweep into the region. Some forecast models suggest daytime temperatures in Moscow could struggle to reach double digits, with values potentially running 5-10C below average.
After a brief reprieve in some parts from heatwave conditions that northern and central India experienced earlier in the month, sweltering conditions are set to return to parts of north-west and central India are set to see the as thunderstorms and rainfall ease in the coming days. Temperatures of up to about 45C – 5-10C above the seasonal average – are expected across states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh later this week, with the India Meteorological Department issuing fresh heatwave warnings.
While recent thunderstorms brought temporary relief to areas including Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, the effect is expected to fade quickly as hot, dry winds intensify. During the pre-monsoon season in India, which typically spans March to May, the development of thunderstorms helps to mitigate rises in temperatures. However, when thunderstorm activity is reduced, as has occurred during much of this April in parts of India, temperatures are able to rise gradually day by day, bringing heatwave conditions.
Health officials have advised precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses, particularly during peak afternoon hours, as conditions are expected to worsen in the days ahead.