Climate expert says stalled pressure system is driving an abnormal June heat wave across Western and Central Europe
A powerful “omega blocking” weather pattern has trapped heat across Europe, pushing temperatures to unusually high levels and triggering alerts in several countries, according to climate and meteorology expert Prof Mikdat Kadioglu of Istanbul Technical University.
Countries including France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy have recorded or forecast extreme temperatures in recent days. In Italy, authorities issued red alerts in eight cities as an Africa-origin heat wave intensified. In Spain, soaring temperatures disrupted daily life, especially in Granada, while France warned of potentially record-breaking heat between June 21 and 23, with 60 departments under orange alert.
Kadioglu explained that the phenomenon is caused by a massive ridge of high pressure shaped like the Greek letter Omega. This system, known as an omega block, locks weather patterns in place and prevents them from moving from west to east. As a result, hot air remains trapped over the same areas for days, skies stay clear and the sun continues to heat the surface without interruption.
Western Europe faces highest risk as heat spreads north
Kadioglu said the most severe effects are being felt in Western and Central Europe, including France, Spain, Germany, the Benelux countries and the UK. He added that the heat has also extended unusually far north into Scandinavia and Norway, where such temperatures are rare in June.
He stressed that this is not a normal summer event but an abnormal heat wave strengthened by atmospheric blocking, with temperatures arriving earlier than usual and covering a much wider geographic area.
Türkiye remains cooler for now but risks storms and flooding
While much of Europe swelters, Türkiye has remained on the cooler and wetter eastern side of the omega block. Kadioglu said this has brought below-normal temperatures to some regions, along with risks of localised thunderstorms, hail, strong winds and flash flooding, especially in the Black Sea region.
He warned, however, that Türkiye is likely to warm up again after June 25-26 as the blocking pattern weakens. He also said repeated extreme heat events suggest atmospheric blocking is becoming more frequent and persistent as global temperatures rise.
