Extreme heat continues in central and eastern Europe with temperatures of 38C expected

Central and eastern Europe remained in the grip of a late-June heatwave on Monday, with temperatures forecast to reach 38C in cities including Belgrade, Bratislava, Budapest and Warsaw.

The latest reporting shows the hot spell continuing after a weekend of record and near-record temperatures across parts of central Europe. Associated Press reported highs of 41.7C in Germany, 40.5C in Poland and 41.9C in Czechia as the heatwave moved eastward.

Heat shifts east

The broad pattern across the region is one of the hot air mass moving east after baking parts of central Europe over the weekend. That shift has kept temperatures dangerously high across multiple countries rather than easing conditions quickly in one place.

The Guardian's live coverage said the heatwave was still affecting central and eastern Europe on June 29, with 38C expected in several cities. The reporting also pointed to continued transport problems as the extreme temperatures lingered.

Rail services under strain

Rail travel has been one of the clearest areas of disruption. Reporting from the region said services in Czechia, Germany and Poland have faced delays, overcrowding and air-conditioning problems during the heat.

The Guardian said Czech rail operator České dráhy has warned that its cooling systems are not built for 40C conditions. That highlights how infrastructure designed for normal summer weather can struggle when temperatures move into dangerous territory.

For passengers, the result has been slower journeys and less comfortable conditions across several countries, not just a single isolated route. The disruption has affected travelers in Czechia, Germany and Poland as the heat has continued.

Health and safety risks

The stakes are broader than travel delays. Prolonged extreme heat raises health and safety risks for people exposed to high temperatures, especially in cities where nights can stay warm and relief is limited.

Late-June heatwaves also put pressure on public services and transportation systems at the same time that people are trying to move across the region. The combination of long-distance travel, overcrowded trains and failing cooling systems makes the disruption more difficult to manage.

What comes next

Thunderstorms are expected later in the day, which could bring a further round of disruption even as they begin to ease the heat in some places. That leaves the next phase of the story dependent on how quickly weather conditions change.

Authorities and weather services may extend or escalate warnings if temperatures remain high for longer than expected. Further rail delays are also possible while the transport network stays under stress.