In late June, Europe is experiencing record-breaking heat that has moved from Western Europe into Central and Eastern Europe. A blocking weather pattern trapped very warm air over the continent, causing temperatures to rise above 40 degrees in several countries. However, the consequences affect not only people but also railways, roads, rivers, power plants, and emergency services.
Heat zone moves further east
Over the weekend, Germany recorded a provisional temperature of 41.7 degrees in Neißemünde-Coschen. Poland registered 40.5 degrees in Słubice, thereby surpassing a long-standing national record. The Czech Republic also reached new highs in Doksany, while Hungary reported temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in Budakalász.
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Peak temperatures in the west subsequently dropped in some areas. At the same time, heat stress remained high in central and eastern regions. Consequently, Warsaw, Budapest, Bratislava, and Belgrade continued to brace for dangerous heat, while thunderstorms caused fresh damage in France and Belgium.
Record heat strains rail, road, and power networks
The heat’s impact on transport was no coincidence. Steel expands at high temperatures, and asphalt and joint filler lose stability, prompting railways to impose restrictions. Delays, cancellations, and overcrowded services occurred in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
In Leipzig, tram services were temporarily halted because loosened joint filler interfered with switches and tracks. Heat damage to road surfaces also occurred on German motorways. Deutsche Bahn offered passengers flexible cancellation options to reduce the number of people forced to board overcrowded trains.
Rivers pose problems for power plants
The record heat also affected electricity generation. In Hungary, the Paks nuclear power plant reduced its output because the Danube—its source of cooling water—had become too warm. Earlier, the Beznau plant in Switzerland had taken similar measures due to high temperatures in the Aare River. Such interventions are driven not by a lack of electricity, but by cooling limitations.
Italy also reported issues involving its rivers. Water levels in the Po were low, while saltwater intruded further inland—placing additional strain on agriculture and ecosystems. This demonstrates how heat simultaneously impacts energy supplies, transport networks, and water systems.
Wildfires Hit Hazardous Terrain
In Germany, dry conditions exacerbated several fires. However, the critical factors were not just the temperature, but the combination of dry vegetation, wind, and difficult-to-access terrain. In the Gohrischheide area, old munitions hampered firefighting efforts, preventing emergency crews from directly accessing the fire sites in some locations.
Near Traisen in Rhineland-Palatinate, around 650 people had to evacuate their homes. A fire broke out on a former military site there, accompanied by explosions. Firefighters and explosive ordnance disposal teams had to work in tandem, while the heat increased the physical strain on the emergency personnel.
France reported approximately 1,000 additional deaths during the heatwave. However, authorities consider this figure provisional, as reports from care homes and private households may arrive later. The elderly, the sick, and those living alone are at particular risk. Consequently, the impact of the record heat does not end simply because temperatures drop, as health consequences can emerge with a time lag.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: AP News (29.06.26) – Reuters (29.06.26) – Tagesschau (28.06.26) – Die Zeit (28.06.26) – World Metrological Organization (26.06.26)