The sweltering heat has already affected Iberia in recent days, with temperatures 4-5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal norm, leading to highs above 40 degrees Celsius (104 F). During the rest of this week, the heat is likely to rise even more sharply to 7 degrees Celsius above average, with maximum temperatures reaching 46-47 degrees in Seville, for example. As low pressure develops across western Europe, this intense heat across Iberia will surge northwards through France, possibly reaching the UK by the weekend, as well as sweeping eastwards across much of central Europe. Highest temperatures are likely to exceed 40C in parts of France, Germany and even the Netherlands by this weekend. If the heat does reach the UK, the all-time temperature record of 38.7C set in Cambridge in July 2019 is at risk of being broken. Unusually, as the heat persists in western Europe, temperatures in parts of the central and eastern Mediterranean will also rise to 10C above normal, topping 40C across Italy and the Balkans. By Monday next week, central, southern and western Europe could well see temperatures significantly above the seasonal norm, with heatwave conditions widespread. There are often strong balances in the atmosphere and, offsetting the heat across much of Europe later this week, Scandinavia and north-east Europe will be more unsettled, with temperatures several degrees below the seasonal norm, although this looks set to be short-lived. Meanwhile, the Indian monsoon is bringing torrential rains to many parts of the country, with the central regions facing the worst of the resulting flooding. The Indian Meteorological Department has already issued red warnings, indicating that more than 200mm of rain could fall in 24-hour periods. Forecast models indicate that further rains and thunderstorms during most of the coming week could worsen flooding in these areas, including Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
