Record-high temperatures are already being recorded in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and the mercury is expected to continue rising over the next two days. A slight drop in temperature is expected starting Monday.

In Saarbrücken, North Rhine-Westphalia, a new all-time record for Germany was set yesterday, Friday, at 41.3 degrees Celsius. More broadly, in the southern and southwestern regions of the country, temperatures hovered around 40 degrees, with the Federal Meteorological Service (DWD) issuing repeated warnings of “extreme heat” across nearly the entire country in the coming days. “Extreme weather conditions such as these have become more frequent due to the climate crisis—and are likely to increase further,” the DWD noted in a statement.

READ ALSO: Temperatures just shy of 40°C; where the rains are returning

The heatwave that has subjected western Europe to punishing temperatures and broken numerous records this week will start moving east over the weekend, said Clare Nullis, spokesperson for the World Meteorological Organization pic.twitter.com/BKrvSMJADE

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 26, 2026

Her data shows that the average number of days with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius in Germany has now increased significantly. Temperatures today are forecast to range between 36 and 41 degrees, and in some areas as high as 42 degrees. Notably, the water temperature in the Main River was measured at 30 degrees Celsius at noon on Friday. Starting Sunday night, however, minimum temperatures are expected to range between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius, while thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast, possibly including severe weather in the north and northwest.

The relevant authorities strongly recommend that vulnerable groups take precautions against the extreme heat, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors. In addition, they urge those seeking relief from the heat at the beach, lakes, and rivers, and emphasize that animals should not be left in parked cars—not even for a few minutes.

In France, they have turned the Seine River into a giant swimming pool.

This is what Paris looks like in 2026 pic.twitter.com/NEGliJI0j8

— Parisian Aesthetics (@Parisianaes1) June 26, 2026

Scuffles are breaking out inside stores across France as consumers rush to buy fans and air conditioners amid the extreme heat wave hitting the country

Extreme heat in Europe: people are buying up fans and air conditioners — anything that provides even a little cooling is flying off the shelves. pic.twitter.com/YZ3IlLCvhT

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 27, 2026

The economic impact of the heatwave

At the same time, the intensity and duration of the heatwave also have economic consequences—not only because of the health problems it causes or the cancellation of scheduled work and events, but also due to lost productivity, delays, infrastructure problems, and rising energy costs. “Heat is evolving from a meteorological phenomenon into an economic risk, and therefore in the future we must manage it just as we manage energy prices, supply chain disruptions, or geopolitical risks,” Oliver Chander, an executive at the strategic consulting firm Arthur D. Little, told the television station n-tv. The credit insurance company Allianz Trade, after analyzing various extreme scenarios, estimated that Germany could suffer losses of 112.5 billion euros by 2030 if heat waves continue in the future. The company’s research also shows that for every degree Celsius above 30, productivity decreases by 3%.

According to Mr. Tsander, industries involving physical labor, outdoor work, temperature-sensitive processes, or tight delivery deadlines—as well as work in rooms without air conditioning—are particularly affected by heat-related productivity losses. “Furthermore, industries with complex supply chains, such as the automotive, mechanical engineering, and electronics, are particularly affected, as individual bottlenecks can quickly disrupt production lines,” he noted.

Europe is facing a deadly heatwave with temperatures topping 40°C across several countries, as scientists warn that climate change is driving more frequent and intense extremes and dozens of deaths are already being reported across the continent.

Al Jazeera’s Natasha Butler reports: pic.twitter.com/f8H9W2u5kS

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 27, 2026

The extreme heat is also exposing weaknesses in road and rail infrastructure. According to Mr. Chander, electricity grids come under increased strain during heat waves due to rising cooling demands from households, businesses, and industry. At the same time, high temperatures can reduce the efficiency of power lines and technical systems, while water supplies are also under pressure due to increased consumption and regional declines in water levels. Low water levels in major rivers are also particularly critical for industry and supply chains, as they significantly limit the transport capacity of inland waterways.

Italy puts 18 cities on red alert as heat wave strains hospitals

Emergency room admissions in major cities reportedly rise 10–15% as 18 cities, including Rome, Milan, and Venice, remain under red heat alerts https://t.co/9TJl5SRVRv pic.twitter.com/vp6QqEqncQ

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) June 27, 2026

Heat Wave in Austria and Switzerland

In Austria, the highest temperature—37.8 degrees Celsius—was recorded yesterday, Friday, in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, near the border with Slovakia. In Vienna, the thermometer read 37 degrees, and temperatures are expected to reach as high as 40 degrees over the weekend. “The coming days will be a huge strain for many people,” said Health and Labor Minister Corina Schumann (SPÖ), emphasizing the importance of taking protective measures. For its part, the Ministry of Sports warned of the strain caused by the heat during outdoor exercise. Regarding the possibility of disruptions and delays in rail services because the heat “affects the infrastructure,” Austrian Railways (ÖBB) issued a press release.

Unprecedentedly high temperatures have also been recorded over the past 24 hours in Switzerland, where the population appears to be struggling to adapt to the extreme heat. “Heat is the most underestimated risk of climate change, and in Switzerland it causes the most deaths—far more than floods, landslides, etc.,” said Erich Fischer, a climate researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, on Swiss public television, noting that there are now five to six times as many hot days per year as there were a few decades ago.

Due to the heat, the nuclear power plant in Beznau was shut down yesterday because, according to the energy company Axpo, the temperature of the Aare River—which is used to cool the two reactors—is excessively high. Axpo stated that the shutdown is intended to protect the river’s ecosystem and prevent fish deaths.

Source: Protothema.gr