Friday opens with major weather contrasts around the world. Rescue and relief operations continue in typhoon-hit parts of China, while exceptional September heat affects southern France and much of Italy.
The most serious active situation remains in eastern and southern China after Typhoon Saudel brought torrential rain and widespread flooding. Emergency crews in Fujian and Hunan are continuing drainage, evacuation and relief work after roads and low-lying communities were inundated.
Flooding remains the main hazard in eastern China
More than 83,000 people had already been evacuated in Fujian before and during the latest landfall. Even as the tropical system weakens inland, saturated ground and swollen waterways mean the flood and landslide threat can persist well after the strongest winds have eased.
Exceptional September heat in southern Europe
At the same time, southern Europe is dealing with another burst of intense late-summer heat. Southern France is expecting 36 to 39 °C in several regions, with five departments under orange heatwave vigilance. Italy is also entering another very warm and stable phase, with widespread highs in the mid-30s and locally higher values in the coming days.
A sharply divided European pattern
Farther north, Atlantic low pressure is producing wind, rain and local thunderstorms across northern Germany. The result is a strongly contrasted weather picture: flooding in eastern China, heat around the Mediterranean and unsettled Atlantic weather farther north in Europe.