Temperatures climbed to historic levels across Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Denmark on Saturday. This intense heat wave, which previously impacted western Europe, has now shifted to central and eastern regions, challenging even Nordic countries that are unaccustomed to such extreme summer weather.
Denmark’s Meteorological Institute confirmed a record temperature of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Ødum, marking the highest temperature recorded there since observations began in 1874. Meanwhile, Basel, Switzerland, experienced its own record-breaking day with a temperature of 38.8 C (101.8 F).
Germany faced significant infrastructure issues as temperatures approached 40 C (104 F). High heat caused the concrete on the A2 highway to buckle, leading to road closures in two locations near Berlin. The German daily newspaper Bild also reported damage to other highways throughout the country. Rail operator Deutsche Bahn and other companies advised citizens to avoid nonessential travel, noting that the national transportation network is being severely compromised by the record-breaking conditions.
In the Czech town of Doksany, the country reached its hottest day on record with a temperature of 40.8 C (105.4 F), with meteorologists warning that temperatures could climb further. Elsewhere in Germany, a nursing home in Dormagen was forced to evacuate residents after indoor temperatures hit 35 C (95 F), as air conditioning is not widely available throughout European infrastructure. A resident at that facility passed away overnight, though authorities have not yet confirmed if heat was the definitive cause.
France continued to manage the aftermath of the extreme weather, with multiple eastern towns reaching record temperatures above 40 C (104 F). While some regions saw a decrease in red-zone status, 37 regions remained under high-heat warnings. Paris hospitals struggled with an 80% increase in emergency medical calls and a significant influx of patients, leading to the postponement of the Paris Pride march and the cancellation of a music festival. AP-HP director Nicolas Revel noted that while casualties are expected, improved treatment methods may prevent the catastrophic death tolls seen during the 2003 heat wave.
In the United Kingdom, where record June temperatures were broken for three consecutive days, officials are seeing a decline in intensity, though an amber warning persisted through Saturday night. Police reported the recovery of two bodies from a lake and a river, bringing the total number of heat-related fatalities in the U.K. this week to four. Authorities are urging the public to avoid swimming in unsupervised areas.
Italy remains under high alert as well, with the health ministry placing 18 cities—including Venice, Florence, and Milan—under a red alert. Tourists have been seeking relief through public fountains and chilled food, while local businesses see increased demand for water and cooling supplies.
A recent scientific study by World Weather Attribution concluded that the current intensity of heat and humidity across Europe would be effectively impossible without the influence of climate change. COP30 president André Corrêa do Lago emphasized that these events have heightened the global urgency for climate action, noting that the extreme conditions in cities like London demonstrate the necessity for immediate environmental policy changes.
