Destructive thunderstorms have swept across parts of Europe and East Asia in recent days, leaving trail of devastation in their wake. But while some areas are battling torrential rain and strong winds, others are facing an altogether different challenge: a severe heatwave that has brought temperatures to unprecedented highs.
Last week's intense storms in the Balkans were fuelled by a mass of unstable hot air hovering over the Adriatic Sea, colliding with a cold front moving south-eastward. Slovenia bore the brunt on 10 June, where wind gusts of 65mph lashed Ljubljana airport and heavy rainfall dumped 23mm in Kranj. The resulting damage was widespread: in Komenda, local authorities reported over 100 buildings were severely damaged or destroyed by hail the size of golf balls.
Similar extreme weather conditions have been reported on the other side of Eurasia, with Hong Kong issuing a black rainstorm warning last Thursday. Outdoor workers scrambled for shelter and schools closed as hourly rainfall totals soared past 70mm, unleashing flooding across the area. And in addition to the heavy rain, wind speeds of 50mph were recorded in Tai O district.
But while Europe's north and west are baking under a heatwave that has pushed temperatures into the mid-to-high 30s Celsius, what's unusual is its concentration in regions normally accustomed to cooler conditions. Forecasts suggest this scorching weather could intensify further in the coming days, potentially reaching 41C.
The Met Office has not issued any severe weather warnings for the UK mainland related to these events. Current forecasts indicate a mixed bag of conditions across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – generally milder than the extremes seen elsewhere.