A historic heatwave has descended upon northern and central Europe, shattering long-standing temperature records in Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. The extreme weather, driven by a stationary high-pressure system, has prompted health warnings and disrupted transport networks across the continent.
In Germany, the national record for the highest June temperature was broken on Wednesday when the mercury hit 38.6 degrees Celsius in the town of Bad Mergentheim, Baden-Wuerttemberg. The previous record of 38.5 degrees, set in 2019, was surpassed by a tenth of a degree. The German Weather Service has warned that the heatwave could persist through the weekend, with temperatures expected to reach up to 40 degrees in some areas.
Denmark has also seen unprecedented heat, with the city of Copenhagen recording 36.8 degrees on Wednesday, the highest June temperature ever recorded in the country. The Danish Meteorological Institute said that the heatwave has been caused by a combination of warm air from the south and a lack of cloud cover. The country's emergency services have been placed on high alert, with officials urging the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions to take precautions.
In the Czech Republic, the heatwave has been particularly severe, with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees in several locations. The town of Pilsen recorded 38.2 degrees, breaking the previous national record for June by a significant margin. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a red alert for extreme heat, the highest level of warning, and has advised residents to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
The heatwave has placed additional strain on energy infrastructure, with demand for electricity soaring as air conditioning units are switched on. Grid operators in Germany have reported that power consumption is approaching summer peak levels, though no blackouts have been reported so far. The extreme temperatures have also caused rail tracks to buckle in some areas, leading to delays and cancellations on Deutsche Bahn services.
The meteorological event is consistent with the broader trend of rising global temperatures attributed to climate change. The World Meteorological Organization has highlighted that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and intense, with Europe experiencing some of the most rapid warming of any continent. The current heatwave is expected to move eastwards in the coming days, with forecasts suggesting that Poland and the Baltic states may see record-breaking temperatures later this week.
Governments across the affected region have activated emergency plans, including opening cooling centres and extending public health campaigns. The European Union has urged member states to coordinate their responses to the heatwave, which has been linked to a number of excess deaths in previous years.
As the heatwave continues, residents have been advised to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure, and check on vulnerable neighbours. The extreme weather is expected to persist for at least another week, raising concerns about the resilience of Europe's infrastructure and public health systems in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
