Skopje +42,4°C, 0,4°C below All-time July Record, Cuprija, Serbia +41,0°C, Drobeta, Romania +40,1°C on July 7th 2025

On July 7th, 2025, an intense heatwave gripped parts of the central and southern Balkans, bringing some of the hottest temperatures of the year so far. Several key stations recorded historic values, coming dangerously close to long-standing national and all-time records.

Skopje, North Macedonia – +42.4°C

The Macedonian capital recorded an astonishing +42.4°C, making it:

The hottest day of 2025 so far in the country
Only 0.4°C below the all-time July record for Skopje
One of the top 3 hottest days in the city’s meteorological history

Such values are exceptionally rare for Skopje, whose climate is semi-continental, with average July maxima closer to +31°C. The event was caused by hot Saharan air advection, clear skies, and downdrafts from surrounding hills concentrating heat in the urban basin.

Ćuprija, Serbia – +41.0°C

In central Serbia, the city of Ćuprija registered a scorching +41.0°C, placing it among the top Serbian heat records in the past decade. Although not an all-time national high, it ranks among:

The top 5 temperatures ever recorded in the city
The hottest July day in 2025 in central Serbia so far

The Morava Valley, where Ćuprija is located, is known for heat accumulation, and conditions during this wave (low humidity, no wind, and hot upper air layers) created the perfect setup for extreme temperatures.

Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania – +40.1°C

In southwestern Romania, the Danube-side city of Drobeta-Turnu Severin hit +40.1°C, breaking local daily records and marking one of:

The hottest days of the year in Romania
The first +40°C reading in Romania in 2025

Drobeta is a known heat hotspot due to its low elevation, southern location, and radiative trapping from surrounding hills. July records in the area hover just above +42°C, so this event comes within 2°C of the absolute extremes.

Meteorological Synopsis

The Balkan heat spike was driven by:

A persistent upper-level high centered over the southern Balkans and Aegean
Dry air masses from North Africa
850 hPa temperatures exceeding +26 to +28°C
Full sunshine and limited convection, with no thunderstorms to cool the surface

This heatwave episode is part of a broader regional anomaly that may continue to build through late July, with further threats of +42 to +47°C in the wider Balkan and Carpathian regions.

Potential Impacts

Agricultural stress on maize, vineyards, and sunflower crops
Wildfire risk rising in dry hilly and forested regions
Urban overheating and health risks, especially for the elderly
High power demand and pressure on electric grids
Record-breaking warm nights, offering little nocturnal relief

Governments in the region have begun issuing heat alerts and public health recommendations as the hot spell may linger and expand northward.