Weather tracker: Heatwave expected to bring Germany and Poland to 40C | Extreme heat

Temperatures are expected to rise significantly in parts of central and northern Europe this weekend as the intense heatwave continues. High temperatures of up to or exceeding 40C (104F) are expected in Germany and Poland on both Saturday and Sunday, several days after parts of France experienced similar extreme temperatures. This weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg has been declared a heat hazard, the first race this season to do so. Temperatures are expected to rise up to 30 degrees Celsius during the race; This makes the racing area almost 10 degrees warmer than normal.

Extreme heat led to severe storms across Europe. A strong tornado was reported in the Sverdlovsk region of central Russia on the evening of June 22. The tornado, rated 3 out of 5 on the international Fujita scale, injured 16 people and destroyed or damaged approximately 100 homes and businesses in the town of Kushva. Emergency services are working to restore the town’s power. Hurricanes are rare, though not unheard of, in Russia. Forecasters say they may become more common in the future as the climate deteriorates. Storm warnings remained in effect in the southern part of the country on Friday.

Thunderstorms caused heavy rainfall in some parts of China. More than 100mm of rain was recorded in the Zengcheng district near Guangzhou in a three-hour period on Thursday evening, prompting warnings from the China Meteorological Administration. These storms occur during southern China’s Meiyu, or plum rain season, which occurs in the region between June and July, as part of the country’s broader rainy season from May to September. Such heavy rainfall in a short period of time can cause flash floods, mudflows and rockfalls in mountainous and even urban areas.