Heat to return briefly to parts of Europe into Monday

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

By Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

August 12, 2018, 10:45:44 AM EDT

Residents of central and eastern Europe should not get used to the turn to more comfortable weather. As quickly as the seasonably cooler air arrived, heat is making a comeback.

The heat will surge back across eastern Germany and into Poland on Monday. Residents will once again be cranking up fans and finding ways to stay cool.

Temperature high in the low 30s C (middle to upper 80s F) will surge back into areas from Berlin to Prague and western Poland on Monday.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, residents are reminded to wear light clothing, drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest times of the day (the midday and afternoon hours).

Sealed vehicles without the air conditioning turned on can turn into death traps for children and pets in a matter of minutes.

Fortunately, a storm quickly advancing from the Atlantic Ocean will prevent this heat from lasting more than a day or two in any given community.

As quickly as the heat arrives, temperatures will be trimmed in a west-to-east fashion from France to Poland Monday into Tuesday.

Showers and thunderstorms will dampen the region as the heat is swept away. Widespread severe weather is not anticipated, but a few of the thunderstorms can produce strong winds and downpours.

Such thunderstorms may threaten southeastern France, which was devastated by recent flooding, last Monday, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Maura Kelly.

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"While the strongest thunderstorms can produce damaging wind gusts and hail, the main threat will be flooding downpours, especially in areas recovering from flooding," she said.

Even in the absence of localized severe weather, anyone outdoors should seek shelter as soon as thunder is heard. The risk of being struck by lightning is then present.

Downpours can lead to travel delays and hazards for motorists. Visibility can be reduced and standing water can heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds.

Not all of the areas with soaring temperatures on Monday will welcome quick heat relief. Cooler air may fail to press over the Iberian Peninsula early in the week, allowing the heat to linger longer.

Even farther north, the cooler air will not have much staying power.

The roller-coaster ride between surging heat and rebounding comfortable air is expected to continue from France to Poland later in the week and into the following weekend. In the southern United Kingdom, temperatures may spike briefly then fall during this time.