
Poland shatters century-old temperature record as heatwave scorches Central Europe, reaching 40.5°C
A blistering air mass from Africa pushed temperatures to 40.5°C in Słubice and 40.3°C in Toruń on 28 June, toppling the previous Polish record set in 1921. IMGW warns of violent storms and flash floods.
Poland recorded its highest temperature in history on Sunday, 28 June 2026, as a tropical air mass from southern Europe and northern Africa sent thermometers soaring past the previous century-old mark.
A record falls after 105 years
The previous record stood at 40.2°C, measured on 29 July 1921 in Prószków (Opolskie). According to preliminary data from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), that record was surpassed in two locations: Słubice hit 40.5°C, while Toruń reached 40.3°C. The figures were captured by the institute's telemetric and operational network between the hourly synoptic readings.
We can speak of a new record. These are telemetric and operational data, measured between hours. The synoptic stations give values at specific times, so we are waiting for confirmation of these data.
The readings will now undergo the institute's standard verification and quality control procedures.
How the day unfolded
The first crack at the record came on Saturday 27 June, when Słubice logged 38.9°C, already a June record for Poland. The heat intensified on Sunday afternoon, with hourly readings climbing rapidly.
- Słubice records 38.9°C, a new national June record.
- Słubice reaches 38.3°C; Toruń also at 38.3°C.
- Słubice climbs to 38.9°C.
- Toruń hits 40.3°C; Słubice peaks at 40.5°C, breaking the 1921 all-time record.
Europe under the heat dome
The extreme heat was not confined to Poland. A large omega-shaped high-pressure system known as a heat dome has trapped hot air over much of the continent. In Germany, the station at Drewitz recorded 41.5°C, breaking that country's June record. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reported 41.1°C at one of its stations shortly before 15:00 – the highest temperature in the country's measurement history. Denmark also set a June record of 37°C in Oedum on Saturday.
- Poland
- 40.5 °C
- Germany
- 41.5 °C
- Czech Republic
- 41.1 °C
- Denmark
- 37 °C
Warnings and next threats
IMGW issued level-two and level-three heat alerts for nearly the entire country on Sunday, with the coolest regions still hitting 34–37°C. The Government Centre for Security dispatched an SMS alert urging people to avoid sun exposure, hydrate, and restrict physical activity.
We have already issued warnings and the first convective cells have appeared in the west. There are warnings for storms with hail, with wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h, and torrential rain. We are in hydrological drought – any intense rain can lead to local flooding because the soil cannot absorb it; it runs off across the surface.
Cooler air is forecast to arrive by Tuesday, with temperatures dropping to 26–27°C in the north and west, and 32–34°C in the south-east.


