Europe facing a temperature shock: After Arctic cold, a heatwave from Africa is coming

Night frosts have damaged agriculture, and in France, winegrowers tried to save vineyards by lighting fires. Due to climate change — which is causing Europe to warm faster than any other continent — such prolonged and widespread cold spells are becoming increasingly rare.

Cold and unstable air, combined with strong May sunshine, also triggered numerous thunderstorms, and between May 11 and 16 around 750,000 lightning strikes were recorded across Europe. Serbia’s State Hydrometeorological Institute issued red warnings due to strong winds, heavy rainfall, and hail.

During the weekend, the cyclone expanded further into northwestern Europe, cutting off the northern airflow and shifting winds to a westerly direction. Later in the week, a strengthening anticyclone over western parts of the continent is expected to draw hot air from North Africa.

Temperatures in countries such as France and England are expected to be up to 15 degrees higher by Friday compared to the previous week. In Spain and Portugal, they could exceed 30 degrees, while nighttime temperatures there may surpass the highest daytime values recorded last week.