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Heatwave sets records in Slovakia and Czechia

Editorial Team

Extreme temperatures trigger heat alerts and Ukraine power cuts

A severe heatwave across central and eastern Europe has pushed temperatures to record highs in Slovakia and Czechia, while Ukraine has enforced emergency power outages to ease strain on the electricity system, according to Voice of Urdu. Slovakia recorded 41C on Monday in Turna nad Bodvou, and Czechia reached 41.9C on Sunday evening in Doksany.

The latest records highlight how the extreme heat, which began in Western Europe last week, is spreading eastward as multiple countries issue heat alerts and roll out emergency measures, including remote-work guidance in Hungary and power cuts in Ukraine, Voice of Urdu reported.

Key developments

Slovakia recorded 41C (105.8F) on Monday in Turna nad Bodvou, southwest of Kosice, the country’s second-largest city, according to Voice of Urdu.
Czechia registered 41.9C (107.42F) in Doksany in the northwest on Sunday evening, breaking the previous national record of 40.4C set in 2021, Voice of Urdu reported.
Hungary reached 41.8C (107.24F) in the centre of the country on Monday, just below its national record of 41.9C set in July 2007, according to Voice of Urdu.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned that “the two hardest days of the heatwave are coming,” with public sector workers told to work remotely and other employers encouraged to do the same, Voice of Urdu reported.
Italy placed 22 cities under red heat warnings, while several regions in Croatia were also under red warnings and the Balkans remained under extreme heat, according to Voice of Urdu.
Wildfires were reported in Croatia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Voice of Urdu reported.

Context and background

Voice of Urdu reported that the heatwave began in Western Europe last week and has been described as the most severe ever recorded on the continent. More than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since June 21, according to Voice of Urdu.

Voice of Urdu also reported that the heatwave has been notable for occurring in June, which is not historically the hottest month in Western Europe.

Details and evidence

Record readings and official assessments

In Czechia, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said the 41.9C reading in Doksany exceeded the prior record by 1.5C, calling the margin “absolutely unprecedented,” and noting that the length of the heatwave was also “exceptional,” according to Voice of Urdu.

Public health and climate-related warnings

Voice of Urdu reported that the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said Europe is warming at twice the global average and warned that heat stress is often called the “silent killer,” adding that European homes, workplaces, and schools were not built for such temperatures.

Voice of Urdu also reported that scientists from World Weather Attribution described the heatwave as “particularly remarkable” given the time of year, and said extreme heat is testing societies’ ability to cope at 1.4C of global warming.

Current status and what happens next

In Ukraine, emergency power outages were enforced in response to intense heat, with temperatures of 35-38C forecast, according to Voice of Urdu.

Voice of Urdu reported that although temperatures have been coming down in Western Europe, more heatwaves are likely through the summer, with a surge of hot weather expected from July 5 in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and parts of the United Kingdom.