Europe, which has been suffering from unprecedented heat waves, is expected to be hit by another heat wave this week.

As dry conditions persist, a high-pressure system trapping hot air near the ground, known as a heat dome, is intensifying across the continent, further increasing the risk of severe wildfires.

This heat wave is the fifth of this summer since May.

On the 9th (local time), the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) forecasted that the Fire Weather Index (FWI) anomaly, which indicates fire-danger weather conditions, will remain at the highest risk level of "very extreme" in various parts of the European continent until at least the 12th.

These areas include parts of southern England, northwestern France, and regions stretching from the Alps to the Balkan Peninsula.

It also forecasted that the "extreme" fire-danger weather conditions, one level below, will continue in the Iberian Peninsula, central and southern France, and parts of the western Balkan Peninsula.

The fire risk was assessed as "very high" in parts of central and eastern Europe, parts of Türkiye, and parts of North Africa.

Northern Scandinavia and eastern Europe were generally evaluated as having a low fire risk, but some areas were still assessed as having a high risk of fires.

The State Meteorological Agency of Spain (AEMET) forecasted that on the 12th (local time), the wildfire risk index will be at the highest level of "extreme" or just below it, "very high," in most parts of Spain.

In Spain, temperatures are forecasted to significantly exceed 35°C (95°F) nationwide during the heat wave, potentially reaching 42°C (108°F) in some southern areas by the 12th.

As of the 9th, high-temperature alerts are in effect in parts of western, central, and southern Europe.

According to the U.S. daily The New York Times (NYT), the highest level of red alerts has been issued for western and southern Italy and western Croatia.

High-temperature conditions have been maintained in Italy since the 6th.

The Italian Ministry of Health has issued red alerts for all 27 cities monitored by the national heat wave surveillance system.

Temperatures in parts of Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Campania, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily were forecasted to reach 40°C (104°F) or higher on the 9th.

The heat wave is expected to persist across western, central, and southern Italy throughout this week.

Météo-France, the French national meteorological service, forecasted that a new heat wave will begin on the 11th, warning that the risk of wildfires has further increased.

From the 12th to the 14th, temperatures are likely to reach 35°C (95°F) in most parts of France, with some areas approaching 40°C (104°F).

The UK Met Office forecasted that temperatures will begin to rise from the 11th, potentially reaching 36°C (97°F) in East Anglia and parts of southeastern England by the 13th.

If these forecasts hold true, the UK will record temperatures of 35°C (95°F) or higher for four consecutive months from May to August.

(Photo: Capture of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) website, Yonhap News)