In two or three days, almost all of Ukraine will be gripped by heat of 35-38 degrees. In the western, central, and southern regions, meteorologists predict new temperature records for certain days. But according to Natalia Holenia, head of the meteorological forecasting department of the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, the most dangerous part of this heat wave will not be what happens during the day.
Nights That Bring No Rest
In the coming days, nighttime temperatures will not drop below 20 degrees, and in the south will remain at 25-26. Meteorologists call these tropical nights — a phenomenon that until recently was exotic for Ukraine, but now repeats year after year.
They are also dangerous because the human body does not rest at such temperatures, and this negatively affects well-being
The mechanics are simple: during the day the body fights the heat, and at night it should recover. When the night brings no coolness, fatigue accumulates, the load on the cardiovascular system increases, and sleep worsens. For elderly people and those with chronic diseases, this is no less risky than daytime heat.
40 Degrees Won't Happen — And That's No Comfort
Holenia specifically denied rumors about possible 40-degree temperatures in the coming days: according to her, such a scenario would require several days of heat accumulation, which is not currently present. However, certain days could break historical records — meaning a record is possible not through the duration of the heat, but through its intensity.
The reason is familiar: hot air comes from Africa and is further heated over Ukraine under clear skies. Such heat waves have occurred before, says the meteorologist, but now they are becoming more frequent. For comparison, this is already the second heat wave of this summer, though noticeably shorter than the month-long heat of 2010.
Fires and Weather Changes at Week's End
Alongside high temperatures and lack of precipitation, an extreme fire danger persists across the country — dry vegetation ignites instantly. Meteorologists urge maximum restrictions on open flames through the end of the week.
Relief will come not gradually, but through an abrupt weather shift. The heat will begin to subside on August 7 in the west, and on August 8-9 a cold front will pass across the entire territory, bringing thunderstorms, downpours, squalls, and hail in some places. Temperatures will drop 5-8 degrees — meteorologists call this significant relief.
The greater the temperature contrast between hot and cold air, the more intensively thunderstorm processes develop
So after several days of stagnant heat, the country will experience not gradual cooling, but a sharp weather contrast with thunderstorm activity in the evening and at night. The question is only how locally intense these thunderstorms will be — since sharp temperature swings are typically accompanied by the most destructive squalls.
