Sensationalist reporting spreading fear: Truth about whether temperatures will rise to 45 or 50°C this summer

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The heatwave at the end of June was followed by cooler weather, but during July the temperatures will return to the average summer values. However, sensationalist reporting about extreme temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees Celsius are not based in current meteorological forecasts.

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Summer is in full swing, and the weather conditions in Serbia currently fully correspond to the calendar. The end of June brought the first significant heatwave, when maximum temperatures in some parts of the country reached 41°C, including Subotica and Kikinda in the north. Such high temperatures were caused by the penetration of very warm air from the west of Europe, where an even more extreme heatwave was happening during those days.

The beginning of July brought a drop in temperatures, but that is not the end of hot summer weather. In the following days, the highs will again be around and above 30°C, while a new hotter period is expected from the middle of the month with values ​​mostly from 33 to 37°C. Such temperatures are common for July, which is the hottest month of the year in Serbia.

In recent days, bombastic headlines have appeared on social networks and on certain internet portals saying that temperatures of 45 and even 50 degrees are expected in Serbia. Such claims are not based on relevant numerical meteorological models or official forecasts. Although forecasts are analyzed daily during the summer and corrections are possible, there are currently no indications that such extreme weather ​​could occur in Serbia.

The official air temperature is measured according to the standards of the World Meteorological Organization, in a meteorological station, at a height of two meters above a grass surface, in the shade, and with natural ventilation present. Therefore, temperatures shown by thermometers exposed to direct sunlight, in cars or placed on heated asphalt or concrete surfaces are not official air temperatures and are often much higher than those registered by weather stations.

Summer heat is ahead of us, with occasional heatwaves, but according to all available forecasts there is no reason to panic because of temperatures that will supposedly go as high as 45 or 50 degrees. Citizens are advised to follow only official meteorological forecasts and warnings, rather than sensationalist reports that often have no scientific basis.

(Telegraf.rs)