Mikhail Sergeyev, head of the Department of General Biology and Ecology at Novosibirsk State University, points out that the unusual heat wave in Europe is linked to the movement of warm air masses coming from the Sahara Desert northward
According to him, these air masses weaken the westerly winds that carry moist air masses from the Atlantic Ocean inland. Furthermore, the area affected by tropical air circulation in the atmosphere has expanded in recent decades.
He says: "Recent decades have seen an expansion in the area affected by the equatorial atmospheric circulation, particularly in the northern hemisphere. According to climate scientists, this area begins to spread southward into Europe during the summer. As a result, the northward movement of warm air masses from the Sahara has become more pronounced in Europe."
The expert points out that one of the most prominent effects of these changes is the weakening of what is known as the western transport, where relatively humid air masses move from the Atlantic Ocean inland in the mid-latitudes
According to him, the unusual heatwave in Europe coincides with a continued rise in temperatures. He noted that the longest period of high temperatures in Paris was in 2003, the highest daytime temperatures were recorded in 2019, and the warmest nights were recorded in 1772. In Berlin, the hottest July was in 1757. The expert also observed that air temperatures in cities, especially large ones, are usually several degrees higher than their surrounding natural environment and even rural areas.
It is worth noting that the UK is facing its third heatwave of 2026. Unusually high temperatures have also affected other countries in Western Europe. The third heatwave currently gripping France began on July 4th, and the high temperatures are expected to persist there until July 16th.
