Poland shatters century-old temperature record as heatwave scorches Central Europe, reaching 40.5°C

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.

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.

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.