Western Europe’s Heatwave Shatters June Records as Extreme Heat Spreads From the UK and Germany to Northwest China

June heatwave breaks records across western Europe

A powerful heatwave across western Europe has shattered national June temperature records and pushed some countries to new all-time highs.

The scale of the heat was exceptional.

In the United Kingdom, a provisional peak of 37.7°C was recorded at Lingwood, United Kingdom, on Friday, 27 June. That reading broke the previous UK June record of 35.6°C, set in 1976.

The margin was unusually large. Temperature records are often broken by 0.1°C or 0.2°C. This one was exceeded by 2.1°C.

Germany reaches a new all-time high

Germany also saw severe heat. In Coschen, Germany, the temperature reached 41.7°C on 28 June, breaking the country’s all-time record for a third consecutive day.

The heat did not ease at night. Much of Europe experienced tropical nights, meaning overnight temperatures did not fall below 20°C.

The highest minimum temperature during the period was recorded in East Saxony, Germany, where the overnight low remained at 29.4°C.

The night stayed hot. Buildings, roads and open ground held the warmth long after sunset.

Netherlands, Hungary and France also hit by extreme heat

The Netherlands set a new June record on 26 June, with a temperature of 39.4°C.

Hungary recorded an all-time high of 42°C in Szécsény, Hungary, on 30 June.

France endured several days with temperatures above 40°C. The heat was strong enough to force some nuclear power plants to shut down.

Across the region, the heatwave brought both intense daytime temperatures and unusually warm nights, a combination that increases stress on people, infrastructure and energy systems.

Tropical nights added to the heat burden

Tropical nights were widespread across much of Europe during the heatwave. These nights occur when temperatures remain at or above 20°C through the night.

That matters because night-time cooling is a key part of recovery after extreme daytime heat. When minimum temperatures remain very high, the body gets less relief, buildings cool more slowly and heat stress can accumulate over several days.

The highest minimum of 29.4°C in East Saxony, Germany, shows how extreme the overnight conditions became.

Northwest China now faces similar extreme heat

This week, northwest China is experiencing a similarly intense heatwave.

Temperatures reached 45°C on Monday and 47°C on Tuesday. The heatwave is expected to continue until 7 July.

Extreme heat warnings have been issued for Yuli, China, and Ruoqiang, China, where temperatures are expected to exceed 45°C all week.

Other areas are also under severe heat. Parts of Ruoqiang, China, Qiemo, China, Korla, China, Luntai, China, and the Yanqi Basin, China, are expected to top 40°C.

High pressure locks in hot, dry air

The heatwave is being driven by a persistent high-pressure system over the continent. This pattern is drawing in hot, dry air while blocking cooler air masses from moving through.

Under high pressure, skies remain clearer and air movement weakens. Heat builds day after day.

In the arid regions now affected in northwest China, the lack of soil moisture limits evaporative cooling. With little moisture available to cool the surface, the ground and air heat even more rapidly.

Dry land heats fast. Dry air holds the heat.

Authorities warn of wildfire and infrastructure risks

Authorities have urged residents and businesses to avoid outdoor manual work during the hottest parts of the day. They also called for protection of elderly and vulnerable people and extra precautions against wildfires.

The heat is also threatening transport infrastructure.

Road surface temperatures are forecast to exceed 60°C, increasing the risk of asphalt deformation and disruption on highways. Those temperatures also raise the likelihood of vehicle breakdowns and cargo spoilage.

Railways have introduced speed restrictions because of high track temperatures.

Key records and heat impacts

• United Kingdom: provisional June record of 37.7°C at Lingwood, United Kingdom, on 27 June.
• Germany: all-time record of 41.7°C in Coschen, Germany, on 28 June.
• Netherlands: new June record of 39.4°C on 26 June.
• Hungary: all-time high of 42°C in Szécsény, Hungary, on 30 June.
• France: several days above 40°C, with some nuclear power plants forced to shut down.
• East Saxony, Germany: overnight minimum of 29.4°C during the heatwave.
• Northwest China: temperatures reached 45°C on Monday and 47°C on Tuesday, with the heatwave expected to last until 7 July.