Heatwaves Persist in West Asia, Central Asia, North Africa, and Other Regions

Over the past week, influenced by the subtropical high-pressure system, regions including southern Europe, the Volgograd area of Russia, West Asia, southern Central Asia, North Africa, Pakistan, northern and southeastern India, northern Bangladesh, and northern Vietnam experienced high temperatures exceeding 38°C. In particular, parts of West Asia, North Africa, and Pakistan saw maximum temperatures surpassing 42°C, with localized areas recording highs above 45°C (Figure 1).

Over the coming week, under the persistent influence of the subtropical high-pressure system (Figure 2), high temperatures will continue in western and southern Europe, southern Eastern Europe, Western Asia, southern Central Asia, North Africa, and southern Pakistan. In most of these regions, the maximum temperatures will range between 35 and 38°C. Specifically, parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, southern Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, southern Kazakhstan, western Pakistan, Algeria, and northern Mauritania will experience maximum temperatures exceeding 40°C, with localized areas potentially reaching above 45°C (Figure 3).

Figure 1 Observed Maximum Temperature from July 9 to 15, 2025 (unit: °C, Dots Indicate Maximum Temperature ≥ 38°C)

Figure 2 Average Geopotential Height at 500 hPa (Contour Lines) and Anomalies (Shaded) from July 15 to 21, 2025 (unit: dagpm)

Figure 3  Forecast of Maximum Temperatures from July 15 to 21, 2025 (unit: °C)

Author: Tan Dan                                  Reviewer: Zhang Bo 

English reviewer:Wang Yi                                                                       Issue approver:Dai Kan