A heatwave moved across Western Europe in late June, resulting in record-high temperatures in several countries and causing disruptions to transportation and public events. Germany’s weather service reported a preliminary new national temperature record on Friday, as the system responsible for deaths in France began shifting east toward Germany and Poland.
On June 26, Germany’s National Meteorological Service recorded a preliminary temperature of 41°C (106°F) near Saarbrucken. A spokesperson for the service confirmed the reading but noted it was not yet final. Karsten Brandt, a meteorologist at the forecasting site Donnerwetter.de, stated that the heatwave was expected to peak over the weekend, with forecasts indicating temperatures would exceed 40°C (104°F) in parts of the country.
In response to the conditions, several service providers and event organizers in Germany adjusted their operations. Organizers of the Ironman European Championship, scheduled for Sunday in Frankfurt, announced that the cycling and running portions of the triathlon would be shortened due to the heat.
Germany’s national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, gave customers with long-distance travel bookings the option to cancel their trips without charge until early next week. The company issued a statement citing the heatwave’s strain on its infrastructure, including increased risks to signals, tracks, and overhead wires from sun exposure and the potential for thunderstorms.
Before reaching Germany, the weather system impacted other parts of the continent. The United Kingdom, France, and Switzerland all registered record temperatures for the month of June. Authorities in France reported an unspecified number of deaths related to the heat among both young and elderly populations. Across Europe, the high temperatures led to the temporary closure of some cultural landmarks and created challenges for the agricultural sector and some hospitals.
According to the Reuters Climate Monitor, temperatures during the heatwave have been up to 18°C (32°F) above the seasonal average for the region. The World Meteorological Organization identified the cause as an “Omega block,” a high-pressure weather pattern that traps hot air over an area for an extended period. The organization said the heatwave is forecast to move into Central Europe and the Balkans by the end of the month.
Scientists cited in reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera said the heatwave’s intensity would have been “virtually impossible without man-made climate change.”
