Weather tracker: Extreme heat in Europe as typhoon strengthens off Philippines

The extreme heat experienced across central and western Europe, including the UK, will continue to shift eastwards. As slightly cooler weather infiltrates into western Europe, with risks of downpours and thunderstorms, eastern Europe is likely to see temperatures several degrees above the early July average into next week. Peak highs of between 35C and 40C are expected across southern Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and into the northern Balkans.Typhoon Mekkhala, the seventh typhoon of the season in the western Pacific, strengthened east of Luzon on Sunday with sustained winds of 75mph (120km/h) and gusts in excess of 100mph over open water, and is set to head northwards through the Philippine Sea this week. Forecast projections suggest Mekkhala will reach its peak intensity during Tuesday and Wednesday this week as sustained wind speeds break 100mph. While the typhoon is expected to remain over the Philippine Sea, it may produce large wave conditions close to Taiwan, with warnings to shipping likely.As the weakening typhoon approaches southern Japan later this week, likely downgrading to tropical storm or even an extra-tropical depression, it may produce strong winds and high seas around the coasts of southern Japan. The country is expected to see heavy rainfall already in place ahead of the typhoon remnants and, should this rainfall interact with ex-Mekkhala, it may intensify further and bring the threat of flooding.Across the US over the past week, weather patterns have delivered severe and widespread thunderstorms, particularly across central and eastern parts of the country. Some of the thunderstorm activity has disrupted World Cup fixtures held in the US. The focus for severe weather is likely to shift back west to the Great Plains through the coming week, initially with the risk of thunderstorms stretching from Colorado to Texas. However, by Thursday, there are indications that the threat of storms will broaden again, heading further eastwards later in the week. Such thunderstorms may bring significant flooding, large hail and also the risk of tornadoes.