BERLIN — Central Europe shattered multiple temperature records on Saturday as a heat wave shifted eastward from western parts of the continent, with Switzerland, Denmark and the Czech Republic all posting new highs, meteorological services reported.
The extreme temperatures underscored the intensity of the late-June heat wave affecting large swaths of Europe, which has already broken records farther west earlier in the week. Scientists have linked such events to broader climate trends, though specific attribution for this wave requires further analysis.
In Switzerland, MétéoSuisse said a new June record of 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 Fahrenheit) was measured in the Basel area, surpassing a mark set just the previous day. The agency noted this was the first time temperatures exceeded 37 C in June since modern records began in 1946.
Denmark’s all-time temperature record fell when the Danish Meteorological Institute registered 37 C (98.6 F) in Ødum, north of Aarhus. The previous national high stood at 36.4 C from August 1975, with measurements dating back to 1874.
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reported the country’s hottest day on record with 40.6 C (105 F) in Doksany, north of Prague, edging out the prior all-time high of 40.4 C set in 2012. Some preliminary readings suggested it could have reached slightly higher, forecasters said.
The heat wave follows record-setting warmth in countries including France, the United Kingdom, Germany and others in recent days. The World Meteorological Organization has documented widespread impacts on health, ecosystems, agriculture and infrastructure across the region.
Authorities in affected countries have issued warnings for extreme heat, advising vulnerable populations to take precautions. No immediate comprehensive casualty figures were available for the central European phase of the event as of early Sunday.
The heat is expected to persist into the coming days in parts of central and eastern Europe before any significant relief, according to regional forecasts. National meteorological services continue to monitor conditions.
