The temperature rose above 30 degrees Celsius for the first time this year Wednesday, kicking off what could be a record-breaking week for weather in Moscow, forecasters said.
At 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, air temperatures had reached 30.5 C, according to the Moscow weather service, Interfax reported. Forecasters had originally predicted that the record high for June 26 of 33.6 C, set in 2010, could be broken.
A heat wave set to last until Sunday will see temperatures peak at about 5 to 6 degrees higher than normal for this time of year.
On Thursday, the temperature could rise to 32 C, thereby surpassing the previous record for June 27 of 31.4 C set more than 100 years ago, in 1911. On Friday, it could hit 33 C, which would exceed the high for June 28 of 32.8 C, recorded in 1952.
Temperatures of more than 30 C could also be recorded over the weekend, when the likelihood of thunderstorms will also increase.
The soaring temperatures have led the Emergency Situations Ministry to issue a warning to citizens about the dangers of heat stroke.
Forecasters also warned that the hot conditions would lead to a gradual increase in the overall fire risk.
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