Austria and Slovakia have registered their highest temperatures since official measurements began, as an intense heatwave continues to affect Central and Eastern Europe.
Slovakia’s meteorological authorities recorded 41.4 degrees Celsius in Kamenica nad Hronom in the south of the country. The temperature surpassed the previous national record of 41.3 degrees, which had been set at the same location earlier this summer.
The country also experienced its hottest recorded night, with temperatures remaining at 28.4 degrees Celsius in the southwestern town of Skalica. It was the third time during the summer that Slovakia had registered a new national heat record.
In neighbouring Austria, the national weather service GeoSphere Austria recorded 41.2 degrees Celsius in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, close to the Slovak border. The reading exceeded the record of 41 degrees set in Vienna only one day earlier.
The exceptional temperatures are part of a prolonged hot and dry summer that has created dangerous conditions for wildfires across Europe. Authorities have warned that dry vegetation, strong winds and extreme heat could allow fires to spread rapidly.
The drought has also pushed major European rivers to unusually low levels. Shipping on Germany’s Rhine has been disrupted, with cargo vessels forced to reduce their loads, increasing freight costs for commodities including grain, coal, minerals and petroleum products. Low water levels on the Danube have also affected electricity generation in Hungary and Romania.
Meteorological and emergency services are advising residents to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, remain hydrated and take additional precautions during the hottest hours of the day.
