An “omega blocking” weather pattern over Europe has trapped heat across the continent, fueling an abnormal heat wave and pushing temperatures to record levels in several countries, according to Prof Mikdat Kadioglu, climate and meteorology expert at Istanbul Technical University.
Several European countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, have faced record-high temperatures in recent days.
In Italy, an Africa-origin heat wave prompted red alerts in eight cities, while in Spain, soaring temperatures have disrupted daily life, particularly in Granada.
French weather agency Meteo-France warned that temperatures could reach record levels between June 21-23, with 60 departments under orange alert and extreme heat expected to continue into next week.
In Amsterdam, temperatures are forecast to reach tropical levels in the coming days, with meteorologists warning that some areas could exceed 30°C. Belgium’s Royal Meteorological Institute also issued an orange alert due to extreme heat and severe storms.
The UK Met Office said elevated temperatures are expected to persist through Thursday, with some areas forecast to exceed 30°C and the hottest regions potentially reaching 38°C.
Speaking to Anadolu, Kadioglu said a massive ridge of high pressure shaped like the Greek letter Omega has settled over Europe, creating what meteorologists call an “omega block.”
“This pattern consists of a strong warm ridge in the centre, flanked by low-pressure systems on both sides,” he said.
He explained that the system has effectively blocked weather patterns from progressing west to east, trapping heat over Europe, while countries on the eastern side of the system, including Türkiye, remain under cooler and wetter conditions.
Kadioglu stressed that the current heat wave is not a typical summer event.
“There is a clear difference between ordinary summer heat and a heat wave strengthened by atmospheric blocking,” he said.
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“In an omega block, a large high-pressure ridge becomes locked over Europe. Air descends beneath the ridge, skies remain clear, and the sun continuously heats the surface. Since weather systems cannot move forward, heat accumulates in the same area for days.”
He noted that the unusual nature of the event lies in both its timing and geographic reach.
“For such intense heat to arrive this early in June and extend as far north as Scandinavia and Norway means temperatures are significantly above seasonal norms. This is not a normal summer day but an abnormal heat wave reinforced by atmospheric blocking,” he said.
Kadioglu said heat waves are a natural part of summer but emphasised that this event is being amplified by persistent atmospheric blocking.
He added that such heat waves have become more frequent and severe in recent years.
“The highest risk is in Western and Central Europe, including France, Spain, Germany, the Benelux countries, the UK, and also Scandinavia and Norway, where the warm flow extends northward,” he said.
