The capital and 12 counties in the south and west of the country will be under a Code Orange warning for extreme heat and heightened thermal discomfort on Thursday, according to the National Meteorological Administration (ANM).

Thus, in Banat, Oltenia and the southern half of Muntenia, the heatwave will intensify, there will be scorching heat and severe thermal discomfort, and the temperature-humidity index will exceed the critical threshold of 80 units. Maximum temperatures will range between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures will be between 20 and 24 degrees, indicating a tropical night.

The Code Orange warning targets the following counties: Timis, Caras-Severin, Mehedinti, Gorj, Valcea, Dolj, Olt, Teleorman, Giurgiu, Calarasi, Ilfov, parts of Ialomita and the municipality of Bucharest.

The ANM alert has been issued for the period from 26 June at 10:00 a.m. to 27 June at 10:00 a.m.

During the same time interval, a Code Yellow for heat and elevated thermal discomfort will also be in effect in Crisana, the south-west and south of Transylvania, the north and north-east of Muntenia, Dobrogea and the south of Moldova. The heatwave will persist, with scorching temperatures and high thermal discomfort, and the temperature-humidity index (ITU) will slightly exceed the critical threshold of 80 units. Maximum temperatures will generally range between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures will generally be between 17 and 20 degrees Celsius.

According to ANM, the heatwave will continue on Friday across most of the country.

AGERPRES