TIRANA, June 3 – Albania’s residents might have enjoyed a cool late spring, but sustained heatwaves with no rain in sight are ahead, according to meteorologists.
Following a very wet winter and spring, change is on the way for the Balkans during the summer months. While frequent storm systems brought rainfall through the month of May, a building ridge of high pressure will develop from late June through August, according to AccuWeather Global Weather Center meteorologists.
This area of high pressure will allow heat to build from the Balkans through the Black Sea region. Along with the heat, storm systems will be blocked from the region, resulting in long stretches of dry weather.
“This summer will be a stark contrast to last year when cool, wet weather prevailed,” Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
Heat waves will be common from mid-July through August with numerous days of temperatures surpassing 32 C. During the hottest stretches of summer, several days of temperatures over 38C will be possible in major cities.
Wet weather over the past year across much of the Balkans will prevent any widespread drought issues. However, short-term drought will have an impact on agriculture and will lead to lower-than-normal yields, according the AccuWeather report.
While the core of the summer heat will be felt across southeastern Europe, more typical summer warmth will be felt across areas from eastern Spain through southern France and Italy.
