Heat record in Slovakia: 42.2 degrees measured in Dolne Plachtince

The Slovak weather authority had already issued warnings of extreme heat on Wednesday and urged the population to drink sufficient water, avoid physical exertion during the midday hours, and pay particular attention to elderly and chronically ill fellow citizens.

From the nearby locality of Kamenica nad Hronom, also located in the southern Slovak Danube region, values just below the 42-degree mark were also reported on Thursday. This means the heat trough extends across a broad strip along the Danube.

Measures taken by the authorities

The authorities declared the second-highest heat warning level in several Slovak districts. In Bratislava and other major cities, public fountains and air-conditioned rooms were activated where citizens can cool down.

The European weather service also recorded values above 38 degrees in Hungary, Romania, and parts of the Czech Republic in recent days. Slovakia, however, stands out with its peak value and marks one of the highest officially confirmed temperatures in Central Europe this summer.

For the coming days, meteorologists announced a slight cooling. Nevertheless, temperatures will remain significantly above the long-term average according to forecasts, and further hot phases cannot be ruled out in August.

Weather situation in Central Europe

Scientists emphasize that such extreme values fit into the picture of an overall warmer weather situation. More frequent and more intense heat waves in Central Europe are discussed in the specialist literature as a consequence of climate change.

The incident in Dolne Plachtince also illustrates the regional differences within Slovakia: While in the mountainous north temperatures sometimes remained well below the 35-degree mark, the south experienced near-desert-like conditions on Thursday.

Strain on the power grid

Energy suppliers in Slovakia also reported significantly increased electricity demand on Thursday due to intensive use of air conditioning. Grid operators called on the population to reduce consumption in the early evening hours to relieve the grid.