Red code heatwave across most of Romania: temperatures of up to 40°C, major danger for the elderly

Meteorological authorities have issued extreme heatwave warnings across the entire country, with a red alert active in 16 counties on Sunday and set to extend to almost all of Romania from Monday morning. This situation poses a particular danger to elderly people, who are far more vulnerable to the effects of intense heat.

Areas affected by red alert

The counties under the most severe warning — red alert — on Sunday are: Satu Mare, Maramureș, Bihor, Sălaj, Cluj, Alba, Arad, Hunedoara, Sibiu, Brașov, Covasna, Harghita, Mureș, Bistrița-Năsăud, Suceava, and Botoșani. In these areas, maximum temperatures will reach 35–38°C, rising towards 39–40°C in Maramureș, Crișana, and north-western Transylvania.

The temperature-humidity index (THI) will exceed the critical threshold of 80 units, indicating that thermal discomfort will be particularly severe. Nights will be tropical, with minimum temperatures between 17 and 25°C, preventing the body from cooling down during rest hours — an additional risk factor for elderly people.

Orange and yellow alerts across the rest of the country

Counties in the south and west of the country, including București, Ilfov, Timiș, Dolj, Olt, Vâlcea, Prahova, Iași, Bacău, and others, will be under an orange alert, with temperatures of 34–38°C and THI above the critical threshold. Counties in the south-eastern region — Ialomița, Călărași, Tulcea, and Constanța — will be under a yellow alert, with maximum temperatures of 30–34°C.

Expansion of the heatwave from Monday onwards

The situation will worsen from Monday morning, when the red alert will cover almost the entire country, until 1 July at 10:00. Only a few counties in the south-eastern region will remain under an orange alert. This prolonged heatwave is extremely dangerous, particularly for elderly people, who are unable to regulate their body temperature as efficiently as younger individuals.

Essential recommendations for older adults and their carers

• Avoid sun exposure between 11:00 and 18:00
• Ensure consistent hydration — a minimum of 1.5–2 litres of water per day, even in the absence of thirst
• Wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing and cover your head when going outdoors
• Keep your home cool by closing the blinds during the day and ventilating at night
• Pay close attention to elderly people living alone or those with chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal insufficiency)
• If an older person shows signs of heatstroke (dizziness, confusion, dry and hot skin, absence of sweating), seek medical assistance immediately

Care homes and residential centres must activate their emergency heatwave protocols: providing cool spaces, increasing fluid intake, and closely monitoring the health of residents. Families and carers of elderly people living at home are urged to stay in frequent contact with them throughout the duration of the heatwave.