Dangerous temperatures forecast for central and eastern Europe

Dangerous heat is moving east into central and eastern Europe as the late-June heatwave intensifies, bringing forecast temperatures above 40C, red warnings and emergency public-safety measures.

The latest phase of the heatwave is expected to put the region under severe strain, with Hungary among the countries bracing for the worst conditions. Reporting cited ECMWF-based forecasts showing Budapest could exceed 40C on June 30.

The heatwave shifts east

This hot spell has already hit western Europe hard and then spread across the continent. By June 28, reporting said Germany, Czechia, Poland and Hungary were seeing the hottest days on record in some locations, with temperatures above 40C recorded in parts of the region.

On June 29, the focus shifted further east. Guardian reporting said dangerous temperatures were now forecast across central and eastern Europe, with red warnings reported in Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Belgrade reached 38C and Bucharest 37C on June 29, while warmer conditions were still expected to follow. The heatwave has been described in reporting as a moving heat dome, with the most dangerous conditions arriving after several days of extreme temperatures farther west.

Emergency measures and public risk

Authorities are responding with emergency measures as the heat spreads. Hungarian officials published a list of more than 2,000 air-conditioned cooling centres for people seeking relief from the heat.

Across the region, governments and weather agencies are urging people to limit exposure during the hottest part of the day, especially older people, outdoor workers and anyone without reliable cooling. The danger is not only the daytime peak but also the overnight heat, which can prevent the body from recovering.

The stakes are high for public health, hospitals and emergency services. Extreme heat can worsen existing illnesses, increase the risk of dehydration and heatstroke, and make routine care harder to deliver when demand rises sharply.

Disruption and wider impact

The heatwave is already affecting transport and infrastructure. In Germany, reporting said extreme heat buckled tram tracks and prompted police to use water cannon to cool crowds.

There are broader pressure points too, including energy systems as demand for cooling rises and workers trying to keep essential services running in dangerous conditions. The wider European heatwave has also been linked in reporting to hundreds of deaths in western Europe, while France and Spain have reported substantial excess-death figures during the same period.

The event has unfolded against a broader run of extreme weather across Europe. Le Monde reported on June 24 that a red-zone heatwave was sweeping from Spain to Germany, and the heat continued to move east in the days that followed.

What to watch next

The main questions now are how high temperatures climb on June 30, whether additional countries extend warnings or add new emergency measures, and whether Budapest, Belgrade or Bucharest set official records once national agencies confirm full data.

Another open issue is the eventual health toll. Any final count of heat-related deaths or excess deaths will take time to verify, and reporting so far suggests the true impact may become clear only after the heatwave has passed.

Climate scientists quoted in reporting say the event is consistent with a warming climate and would not have been possible without human-driven climate change. For now, the immediate story is simple: the hottest part of this heatwave is still moving east.