A historic heatwave that scorched western Europe has spread into central and eastern parts of the continent, bringing record-breaking temperatures and pushing levels up to 18 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. The extreme weather has disrupted transport, strained hospitals, and renewed concerns over the growing impact of climate change on the region's increasingly frequent summer heatwaves.
On Saturday, preliminary all-time temperature records were set in Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, while Switzerland recorded a new mark for June. Denmark registered its warmest day since measurements began in 1874, reaching 36.6C north of Odense. In Germany, temperatures hit a new record of 41.3C Friday near Saarbruecken and reached a high of 106 degrees on Saturday.
The heatwave has caused significant casualties, with dozens of deaths reported in France. Along with France, Britain, Switzerland, and Germany all experienced record heat throughout June.
Much of Germany and Poland remained under extreme heat warnings on Saturday as the weather system continues to move east toward Poland. While the system shifts, Germany is expected to endure several more torrid days as the continent braces for the possibility of further broken records.