Europe Faces Saharan Heat, Thunderstorms, Heavy Rainfall This Week

A surge of warm air from North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula is driving temperatures upward across Europe and the UK this week, with some regions expected to reach highs significantly above seasonal averages, including Italy where Florence could hit 39°C. This heatwave is accompanied by increased humidity, which is likely to spark intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, particularly in the UK where areas could see up to 40mm of rain in a few hours, leading to possible weather warnings and disruptions. The Met Office highlights the potential for thunderstorm warnings due to the warm, moist air triggering heavy downpours and lightning from Wednesday through the weekend. Despite the warm surge in Europe, South Africa is experiencing the opposite, with a severe storm system causing temperature drops, heavy rain, strong winds, and snowfall, leading to significant travel and infrastructure challenges. The contrasting weather patterns stem from different atmospheric systems: a heat dome in Europe trapping warm air, and a cut-off low pressure system in South Africa driving cold, volatile weather. Overall, residents across affected areas are advised to prepare for unstable weather conditions with both heat hazards and storm impacts expected.