Key facts
- Central European countries are ill-prepared for an approaching heatwave with temperatures expected to reach 40°C.
- Buildings in the region, often with pre-war masonry cores and communist-era concrete panels, absorb and retain heat.
- Air conditioning is significantly less common in Central Europe than in warmer Mediterranean regions.
- Tropical nights, where temperatures do not drop below 20°C, are predicted, hindering recovery from daytime heat.
- Hospitals, schools, and infrastructure like the rail network are at risk of strain and disruption.
- Western Europe has already experienced extreme heat, with record temperatures, drowning deaths, and power outages.
Central European nations are facing significant challenges in preparing for an impending heatwave, with temperatures predicted to reach as high as 40°C. Unlike Mediterranean countries that have developed strategies like climate shelters and adapted working conditions, much of Central Europe remains vulnerable due to its building stock and lack of air conditioning.
Buildings in the region, characterized by pre-war masonry and communist-era concrete panels, possess high thermal mass, meaning they absorb heat during the day and release it into interiors long into the night. This is exacerbated by limited shading and ventilation. Air conditioning, a crucial tool for mitigating heat stress, is far less prevalent than in Southern Europe.
The situation is compounded by the forecast of tropical nights, where temperatures fail to drop below 20°C, preventing essential recovery for the body. Experts warn that these compound day-and-night heat events are particularly dangerous and can lead to a severe strain on hospitals, emergency services, and public institutions like schools, which may lack cooling infrastructure.
Western Europe has already grappled with extreme heat this week, with France recording its hottest day on record at 44.3°C and the UK experiencing its hottest June day at 36.1°C. These heatwaves have led to increased drowning incidents, power outages, and school closures. As the atmospheric dome responsible for the Western European heatwave shifts eastward, Central Europe faces an unprecedented challenge.