Weather

Extreme heat continues to impact daily life – and sporting events – across Europe. Plus, a tornado in RussiaTemperatures are forecast to rise dramatically in parts of central and northern Europe this weekend as the intense heatwave continues. In Germany and Poland, highs of up to or exceeding 40C (104F) are expected on both Saturday and Sunday, days after swathes of France experienced similar extreme temperatures. The Austrian Grand Prix, taking place this weekend in Spielberg, has declared a heat hazard, the first race to do so this season. Temperatures are expected to rise into the low 30s celsius during the race almost 10C warmer than usual for the venue.Across Europe, the intense heat has led to severe thunderstorms. In the Sverdlovsk region of central Russia, a strong tornado was reported on the evening of 22 June. Rated a 3 out of 5 on the international fujita scale, the twister injured 16 people and destroyed or damaged about 100 homes and businesses in the town of Kushva. Emergency services have been working on restoring power to the town. Tornadoes are not unheard of in Russia but are certainly rare, although forecasters warn that they may become more common in future as the climate breaks down. Storm warnings remain in effect in the southern part of the country on Friday. Continue reading...

• The US Federal Reserve announced on June 24 that 32 of the nation's largest banks are well-positioned to continue lending despite a severe hypothetical economic downturn. • The annual "stress test" revealed that while banks' capital levels dropped by 1.6 percentage points, they remained above the minimum regulatory requirements. • These results indicate that the banking sector could absorb over US$700 billion in hypothetical losses without failing.

• A severe heatwave is sweeping across Europe, with the UK recording a new June temperature record of 35.8C in West Sussex, surpassing the previous high set in 1976. • In France, temperatures have reached 40C, prompting authorities to extend a red weather alert to 72 of the country's 96 mainland departments. • The extreme heat is creating hazardous conditions across the continent, impacting livestock and public safety in regions including western Switzerland.

• Forty people have drowned in France as citizens sought relief from a severe heatwave currently gripping Europe. • Spain's meteorological agency issued red alerts after temperatures peaked above 45℃ in Andujar on June 22, 2026, with forecasts predicting further highs of 44℃. • The extreme heat is disrupting daily life across the continent, forcing a primary school in Tervuren, Belgium, to move final exams to a church.

• NASA has selected the Dynamic Atmosphere-Ionosphere Explorer (DAPHNE) mission concept to investigate the relationship between Earth's atmosphere and space weather. • The mission will specifically research how atmospheric dynamics and space weather influence the surrounding space environment. • This study is critical for improving our understanding of atmospheric waves and auroras, which can impact satellite communications and navigation systems.

People in southern Wales and area of England from Kent and Sussex to Somerset and Birmingham urged to protect themselves from extreme heatThe UK’s Met Office forecasters have issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the face of extreme heat and humidity.It covers southern Wales as far west as Swansea, and an area of England that includes London and runs from the inland areas of Kent and Sussex, all the way across to Somerset, as far north-west as Birmingham, and as far north-east as southern Cambridgeshire. Continue reading...

Eastern Europe to see temperatures above early July average into next weekThe extreme heat experienced across central and western Europe, including the UK, will continue to shift eastwards. As slightly cooler weather infiltrates into western Europe, with risks of downpours and thunderstorms, eastern Europe is likely to see temperatures several degrees above the early July average into next week. Peak highs of between 35C and 40C are expected across southern Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and into the northern Balkans.Typhoon Mekkhala, the seventh typhoon of the season in the western Pacific, strengthened east of Luzon on Sunday with sustained winds of 75mph (120km/h) and gusts in excess of 100mph over open water, and is set to head northwards through the Philippine Sea this week. Forecast projections suggest Mekkhala will reach its peak intensity during Tuesday and Wednesday this week as sustained wind speeds break 100mph. While the typhoon is expected to remain over the Philippine Sea, it may produce large wave conditions close to Taiwan, with warnings to shipping likely. Continue reading...