Słubice hits 40.5°C, Poland’s hottest day ever, as European heatwave kills 1,300

A record century in the making

On Sunday 28 June 2026, the western Polish town of Słubice recorded a temperature of 40.5°C according to IMGW telemetric data, surpassing the previous Polish record of 40.2°C set at Prószków on 29 July 1921. The measurement, if confirmed, would be the highest ever recorded in the country. Shortly before, Toruń saw 40.3°C, and Sunday’s peak came after Saturday’s 38.9°C in Słubice already broke the June record.

We can speak of a new record. These are telemetric and operational data measured between whole hours. However, synoptic stations measure temperature at specific times, so the Institute is waiting for confirmation of the data.

A wave across Central Europe

The historic heat extended beyond Poland. In Czechia, the station at Doksany hit 41.9°C, the first time an official Czech network station recorded 41°C. Germany’s DWD reported 41.7°C in Coshen, just across the Polish border, marking the third straight day of national records after 41.5°C on Saturday and 41.3°C on Friday. At Kubschütz, the night of 27–28 June saw a minimum of 29.4°C, a new German nighttime record.

Hospitals and emergency lines under strain

Health services reported a surge in heat-related calls. In Pomerania, the hospitals spokesperson described a “full range” of cases: fainting, burns, heart rhythm disorders, heart attacks, and falls caused by weakness. Operations in Kielce noted a 50% increase in call volume, with medics in Lower Silesia and Poznań reporting roughly 30% more emergencies than on non‑heatwave days.

We are dealing with a full range of cases linked to high temperatures. We are seeing far more fainting, burns, and heart rhythm disorders and heart attacks. Loss of consciousness and weakness also lead to falls, resulting in more injuries.

Warnings, disruptions, and response

Poland’s IMGW issued Grade‑3 heat warnings for 14 voivodeships through Monday 8 p.m., with daytime temperatures forecast between 28°C and 42°C and nighttime lows of 18–25°C. The Government Security Centre (RCB) maintained an alert for the whole country. Rail traffic was halted on four lines due to overhead wire failures caused by the heat, while Italian cities made air‑conditioned museums free and closed tourist attractions. The World Health Organization reported 1,300 heat-related deaths across the European continent.