Europe’s relentless heatwave shows no signs of easing, with scorching temperatures set to intensify across several countries in the coming days. After baking western Europe, the extreme heat is now expanding eastward — threatening Italy, Poland, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. Spain remains under continuous heat stress, while a fresh surge is expected to hit the country midweek before moving into France and the United Kingdom.
Greece Enters Mini-Heatwave
A mini-heatwave is expected to reach Greece starting Tuesday, 30 June 2026, pushing temperatures up to 38°C.
Widespread Impact Across the Continent
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the current heatwave — already affecting much of Western Europe — is forecast to shift toward the Balkans in the coming days. So far, the affected countries include Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, southern Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
Germany and Italy recorded extreme heat on Saturday, 27 June, with temperatures soaring above 40°C — shattering previous records. Denmark also registered its highest temperature ever measured: 36.6°C north of Odense, according to the Danish Meteorological Institute. The reading marks the hottest day since systematic measurements began in 1874.
In Slovakia, authorities confirmed that Friday night was the warmest ever recorded — with temperatures failing to drop below 26.3°C. Meanwhile, the UK, France, Switzerland, and Germany all logged June heat records, and meteorologists warn more could fall as the system moves toward Poland.
Tragic Toll Mounts
The heatwave has already claimed lives across the continent. In the UK, four people — a teenager, two men, and a woman — died on Saturday while swimming in open water. Combined with one death on Friday and another on the previous Wednesday, the total number of drowning-related fatalities during this heatwave has risen to six. At least 15 additional deaths were linked to the May heatwave in the UK.