**Heatwave Scorches Eastern Europe as Slovakia and Czechia Record Unprecedented Temperatures**
June 30, 2026
A severe heatwave sweeping across Eastern Europe has resulted in record-breaking temperatures in both Slovakia and Czechia, prompting significant public health concerns and emergency measures. The extreme weather has affected millions, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several regions.
On June 27, Slovakia recorded its highest-ever temperature of 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in the village of Turna nad Bodvou, located southwest of Košice, the country's second-largest city. This unprecedented heat event has raised alarms among officials and residents alike.
Czechia also faced extreme conditions, with the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reporting a record temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius (107.42 degrees Fahrenheit) in Doksany on June 28. This surpassed the previous record of 40.4 degrees Celsius (104.72 degrees Fahrenheit) set in 2021 by a notable margin of 1.5 degrees Celsius, marking it as an extraordinary event in the region's meteorological history.
The heatwave has not been confined to Slovakia and Czechia. Hungary reported temperatures reaching 41.8 degrees Celsius (107.24 degrees Fahrenheit) in its central region, just shy of its all-time high of 41.9 degrees Celsius recorded in July 2007. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar cautioned citizens that the most intense days of the heatwave were yet to come, advising public sector workers to work remotely and encouraging private employers to do the same.
The impact of the heatwave extends beyond just discomfort; it has led to significant health risks. Reports indicate that over 130 million people across Central and Eastern Europe experienced temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) on June 27. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since the onset of the heatwave on June 21, underscoring the severe public health implications of the extreme weather.
In Ukraine, the government has implemented emergency power outages to manage the increased demand for electricity amid the oppressive heat. Forecasts predict temperatures ranging from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius (95 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in the coming days, further straining the country's infrastructure.
The heatwave, which began in Western Europe, is being described as the most severe on record for the continent. While temperatures are beginning to decrease in some Western European countries, meteorologists warn that more heatwaves are likely throughout the summer. A surge of hot weather is expected to return around July 5, affecting countries including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and parts of the United Kingdom.
The WHO has highlighted that Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet, experiencing temperature increases at twice the global average. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the dangers of heat stress, referring to it as a "silent killer," and noted that many European homes, workplaces, and schools were not designed to withstand such extreme temperatures.
In addition to health hazards, the heatwave has also contributed to environmental challenges, with wildfires reported in Croatia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing extreme heat conditions across the Balkans, prompting further concerns about the region's resilience to climate-related events.
As the heatwave continues to unfold, experts from the World Weather Attribution group have remarked on the remarkable nature of this event, particularly given that June is not traditionally the hottest month in Western Europe. They assert that the current summer conditions illustrate the challenges posed by climate change, noting that at a global warming level of 1.4 degrees Celsius, extreme heat is already pushing societal limits.
With the ongoing heatwave, residents in affected areas are urged to take precautions, stay hydrated, and seek shelter from the heat as authorities work to manage the situation and mitigate the impact of this unprecedented weather event.