Extreme temperatures up to 40°C! Meteorologist Porja: The peak of the heatwave is expected over the weekend!

Meteorologist Lajda Porja from MeteoAlb has warned of a strong heatwave expected to affect Albania in the coming days, with temperatures in some areas potentially reaching close to 40°C.

According to Porja, the weather will remain stable during the first days of the week, with temperatures currently reaching up to 32°C in some parts of the country. The coastal areas will record around 30°C, while mountainous regions will range between 27°C and 28°C.

However, the situation is expected to change toward the end of the week. The meteorologist stated that from Thursday evening, African air masses will be reactivated, bringing a significant rise in temperatures.

“On Thursday we expect 35–36°C, on Friday 37°C, while the weekend and the beginning of next week will be under the influence of very hot weather, with temperatures approaching 39°C and in isolated areas even 40°C,” Porja said.

According to forecasts, the hottest regions will be Shkodra and Berat, while very high temperatures are also expected in Elbasan, Gjirokastër, and Tirana. On the coast, temperatures will be slightly lower but will still reach up to 36°C.

Until Thursday, short and isolated afternoon showers are expected in mountainous areas, mainly in the northeast and southeast. After that, the weather will be mostly dry with long periods of sunshine.

Lajda Porja emphasized that the hottest days will be Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, while high humidity will make the heat feel even more intense.

Meteorologists advise citizens to avoid sun exposure during the 11:00–15:00 time interval, when temperatures peak, and to take extra care of the elderly and children during this heatwave.

Lajda Porja: “This will also reach 32 degrees, while the coastline over these three days will remain around 30 degrees and mountainous areas around 27 or 28 degrees. Meanwhile, the lowest temperature recorded today was 10 degrees in Bulqizë. The weather is expected to remain stable, although clouds will be present during the afternoons. No rainfall is expected today. Tuesday, Wednesday, and partly Thursday will bring short showers in mountainous areas.

On Tuesday only the northern edge will be affected, on Wednesday the northeast and southeast, and on Thursday most of the eastern areas, where the morning will be sunny but the afternoon will bring isolated and short-lived showers.

Then, regarding the thermal situation, there will be a change after Wednesday, starting from Thursday evening and continuing into Friday and the weekend, with the reactivation of African air masses bringing very high temperatures.

On Thursday we expect 35–36°C, 37°C on Friday, and the weekend and the beginning of next week, at least until Wednesday, will be under the influence of very hot weather, with temperatures approaching 39°C and in some isolated areas even reaching 40°C.”

Shkodra, Berat, Elbasan, Gjirokastër and Tirana are expected to be the hottest cities or regions, with the highest temperatures, according to forecasts. The entire western lowlands are also expected to experience very high temperatures, especially from the weekend through next Wednesday.

Although the weather will not be completely dry during these days, with humidity still present in the air and occasional rainfall in mountainous areas, the humidity will make the heat feel even more intense. A cooling trend and a drop in temperatures, or rather a normalization, is expected from the middle of next week, lasting for about two to three days.

From Friday onward, the weather will be dry with no rainfall, including in mountainous areas. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and up to next Wednesday will be dominated by sunshine and long clear intervals. Peak heat hours are between 11:00 and 15:00, when the thermometer reaches its highest values.

The hottest days will be Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, although Tuesday will also bring a slight drop that will hardly be noticeable. Temperatures may approach 40°C in isolated areas. There is a high probability of around 39°C in the Shkodër region.

Temperatures close to 40°C may be recorded in Berat county, especially in Kuçovë. Elbasan may reach 38–39°C, as may Gjirokastër. Tirana is expected to reach 37–38°C. The coastal areas, which are slightly cooler, will reach around 36°C, mainly in the south. Mountainous areas will be relatively cooler, with Korçë expected to remain the coolest region.

Overall, there will be four to five very hot days from Friday to Wednesday. On Wednesday, a break and temporary easing of the heatwave is expected, before African air masses reactivate again and bring another rise in temperatures.

“KORÇA BOOM”