High Pressure Brings Temperatures Above 33C to Southern Europe

A late-season burst of heat is expected to push temperatures as high as 33C across parts of Spain and Portugal from October 13 to 17, while Ukraine faces cooler autumn conditions, according to meteorological forecasts reported by UNIAN and My.ua. A high-pressure system is expected to bring several days of unusually warm weather to the Iberian Peninsula, with temperatures reaching 6 to 13 degrees above seasonal norms in some areas. Southern and southeastern Portugal, along with central, southern and southwestern Spain, are forecast to experience the highest temperatures.

According to meteorologists cited by UNIAN, shaded temperatures measured two meters above the ground could reach 30C to 33C, while direct sunlight and built-up urban areas may become hotter. Spain has already recorded temperatures above 30C ahead of the forecast warm spell. On October 12, thermometers reached 30.3C in Murcia and 30.1C in Xativa, according to the reports.

The expected warming is linked to a high-pressure system that could create a heat dome over parts of southern Europe. The system is forecast to reduce cloud cover and precipitation, allowing warm conditions to persist for several days.

In Portugal, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere, known as IPMA, expects widespread daytime warming beginning Tuesday, October 13. Meteorologist Maria Joao Frada told the Lusa news agency that maximum temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday could range from 24C to 30C across much of mainland Portugal. Inland areas of Alentejo and the Tagus Valley could experience even higher temperatures, potentially reaching 31C to 34C, according to Frada. However, the forecast does not indicate that temperatures near 30C will occur throughout the country.

Coastal areas north of Cabo da Roca and Cabo Carvoeiro are expected to remain cooler, with daytime temperatures around 20C to 22C as low clouds, fog or mist persist. Along the southern Algarve coast, overnight minimum temperatures are forecast to remain between 15C and 17C, while other areas could fall to 10C to 14C. IPMA expects the warm conditions to continue through much of the week, although temperatures could begin falling on Friday or Saturday. Rain and thunderstorms are also possible toward the end of the week, but the institute cautioned that this part of the forecast is less certain and requires further confirmation.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is not expected to experience a comparable return of summer weather. The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center forecasts partly cloudy conditions, occasional rain and cool overnight temperatures on Tuesday, October 13, with ground frosts of up to minus 3C possible in western regions. According to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, daytime temperatures on October 13 are expected to reach 9C to 14C in western Ukraine and 12C to 17C in most other regions.

Eastern and southeastern areas could see temperatures between 18C and 23C. The cooler pattern is forecast to persist in Ukraine through at least October 17. Daytime highs in western regions are expected to remain around 9C to 13C, while most other areas could see 13C to 15C, with temperatures reaching as high as 18C in the south and east.