Storms first, then a 40 C heatwave: RHMZ warning
Serbia's weather service RHMZ has issued a fresh warning: after brief storms with thunder comes a strong heatwave and tropical nights. Here is when it hits and how to stay safe today.
- After brief storms with thunder, RHMZ forecasts a strong heatwave over the next seven days.
- Temperatures in Serbia will climb to 40 C, and up to 44 C in parts of Europe.
- Tropical nights and heat stroke are the main risks, with the elderly, the chronically ill and small children most exposed.
- Doctors advise drinking more water and staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Does the thunder bring us a break? Not really. According to a fresh bulletin from the Republic Hydrometeorological Service (RHMZ), the brief storms with thunder are only a short prelude to a strong heatwave that arrives right behind them.
Once the sky clears, the temperature climbs fast. RHMZ warns that over the next seven days Serbia can expect stable and very hot weather, with readings rising to 40 C. In parts of Europe the mercury could reach 44 C, so we sit in the path of the same hot air pushing up from the south.
What makes this spell more dangerous than an ordinary summer day are the tropical nights. These are nights when the temperature never drops below 20 C, so the body gets no chance to cool down even while we sleep. That is exactly why doctors warn that heat stroke does not only strike outdoors, in the sun, but also inside overheated flats with no air conditioning.
How hot will it get, and how long will it last?
The current forecast puts the peak of the heatwave around midweek, when thermometers in the low-lying parts of the country could show 40 C. The heat will not ease quickly, holding for almost the whole of the coming week.
The greatest risk comes on the days when high daytime temperatures meet warm nights. A body that cannot rest overnight copes worse with the next scorching day, and that shows fastest in older people, the chronically ill and the youngest. For them, dehydration and a drop in blood pressure can come suddenly, without a clear warning.
How to protect yourself on the hottest days
The good news is that you can guard against the heat with simple steps you can start this morning. Our advice is not to wait until you feel unwell, but to prepare your body in advance.
Here is what you can do in practice:
- Drink water regularly, even before you feel thirsty. Aim to drink more than usual through the day, in small sips.
- Stay out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., when radiation is strongest.
- Wear light, pale, cotton clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
- Cool your home by airing it early in the morning, then lower the blinds and curtains during the day.
- Cut back on heavy, fatty meals and choose fruit, vegetables and soups that replace fluids.
- Never leave children or pets in a parked car, not even for a minute.
There is a special piece of advice for anyone with elderly neighbours or family members who live alone. A single phone call or a short visit during the day can reveal whether someone has taken ill, because older people often will not complain about the heat until it is too late. If you notice dizziness, nausea, a racing pulse or a sudden stop in sweating, these are signs of heat stroke, and you should call for help at once.
This week’s heat is serious, but panic does not help. A plan does. If today you fill a few bottles of water, prepare lighter meals and check on your oldest relatives, most of the work is already done.
So how do you cool down fastest when it hits 40 C outside?
