New extreme heatwave arriving — which days will be the real heat?

A fresh surge of extreme heat will return, bringing a rapid rise in daytime temperatures across the country and especially in the Skopje basin.

Meteorological updates indicate that significant warming begins already from tomorrow, Thursday, when daytime mercury is expected to climb to 39–40 °C. The heatwave should reach its peak on Friday — with temperatures of 40 °C and above — and remain intense through the coming weekend and into the start of next week.

Clear skies and prolonged sunshine, together with light to moderate variable winds, will increase the feeling of mugginess in urban areas where concrete and asphalt store daytime heat. The hottest zones are likely to be lowland and basin regions, where thermometers may dangerously approach or exceed the 40 °C threshold.

How to protect yourself

Doctors and health services urge extra caution because the forecast raises the risk of heatstroke and dehydration. Practical recommendations include:

• "Avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 11:00 and 17:00."
• "Consume large quantities of fluids (mainly water and light drinks) and fresh food rich in vitamins."
• "Chronically ill and elderly people should continue prescribed therapy regularly and stay in air-conditioned or cooled rooms."

People are advised to reschedule outdoor activity to early morning or evening hours, limit strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, and ensure vulnerable family members have access to cool environments and enough fluids.

Public services and employers are also asked to consider measures that reduce heat exposure for outdoor workers and to monitor local vulnerable populations while the extreme summer episode lasts.

Photo: Unsplash, Luis Graterol