Germany and Italy swelter in heatwave as records tumble across Europe | Europe

Germany and Italy endured sweltering conditions on Saturday as a heatwave linked to dozens of deaths across Western Europe spread eastward, with temperatures breaking records above 40C (104F).

Denmark recorded its highest temperature on record on Saturday, according to the Danish Meteorological Institute. “We are experiencing the hottest day since measurements began in 1874, with 36.6 degrees north of Odense,” a post on X said.

Meanwhile, Slovakia confirmed Friday night was the warmest on history, with temperatures not falling below 26.3C.

Britain, France, Switzerland and Germany experienced record temperatures in June, and the weather system could test more records as it moves through Germany towards Poland.

Scientists said a heat wave would be nearly impossible if it weren’t for man-made climate change; That makes this week’s nighttime temperatures 100 times more likely than 20 years ago.

“The heat wave will peak at temperatures above 40 degrees in some parts of Germany over the weekend,” said meteorologist Karsten Brandt of the weather forecast site Donnerwetter.

A spokesperson for the German national meteorological service stated that a new German record of 41.3 degrees was reached on Friday near the city of Saarbrücken, close to the French border, and stated that the measurements were still in the preliminary stage.

The service issued extreme heat warnings for almost all of Germany on Saturday, as authorities urged people to save water.

It was stated that the temperature across the country is expected to be 36C, while the local highest temperature may be 42C.

Dozens of people, young and old, died due to a heat wave in France. Temperatures above 40C disrupted rail travel and power generation, led to alcohol bans and school closures, and outdoor events were postponed.

Italy’s health ministry issued a red alert for a heat wave in 18 Italian cities on Saturday and Sunday, including Milan, Rome, Turin, Venice, Genoa, Florence and Bologna; Temperatures are expected to rise up to 39 degrees in some areas.

The French prime minister’s office said that although the heatwave persists, the pressure on the healthcare system will continue and hospitalizations will remain high for several days.

Authorities say reports of forest fires in France have increased compared to the same period last year due to the heat wave.

Battling the possibility of damage to infrastructure, including buckling roads and bulging train tracks, some utility providers are looking for ways to reduce traffic.

Germany’s national rail operator Deutsche Bahn has given customers the option to cancel long-distance travel bookings free of charge until the beginning of next week.

The company said its infrastructure was particularly under pressure due to added risk to signals, rails and overhead cables from sunlight exposure and storms and wildfires.

A main traffic lane on a section of the A7 motorway near Hamburg, one of Germany’s busiest, was closed because heat caused the asphalt to crack, authorities said.

The start of Milan Pride has been postponed to avoid the worst of the heat.

The Ironman European Championship long-distance triathlon in Frankfurt on Sunday has shortened cycling and running courses due to the heat, organizers said.

André Berghegger, CEO of the Association of German Cities and Municipalities, called on the public to use water economically.

“We must rely on voluntary cooperation for as long as possible; local authorities should impose bans only if this does not work,” he told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung newspaper.

The extreme heat is expected to begin to subside over the weekend, with severe thunderstorms expected on Sunday.

Cultural buildings across Europe were forced to close, farming suffered and some hospitals struggled to cope.

The heatwave pushed temperatures 18 degrees above the seasonal average due to a phenomenon known as the Omega block, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor.

This weather pattern traps a bulging ball of warm air over regions for extended periods of time, with cooler air around its edges.

Demand for electric fans has increased, and Asian air conditioner manufacturers have reported booming sales in Europe.

Much of the housing stock in Northern Europe is built to keep heat in rather than withstand it.