The heatwave that swept across Europe at the end of June was more than just an extreme weather episode for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It became a test of resilience for states, cities, emergency services, energy systems and everyday life. Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius appeared not only in the south of the continent, but also in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary. The World Meteorological Organization said the heatwave was breaking temperature records and affecting human health, agriculture, infrastructure, ecosystems and labour productivity at the same time.
The most visible response from authorities was the issuing of weather warnings. Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Romania and Balkan countries introduced the highest-level alerts, urging people to stay indoors, limit physical activity, drink water and look after the elderly. In Poland, the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management issued second- and third-degree warnings, the highest levels on its three-tier scale.
In terms of communication, the region coped better than it did just a few years ago. Public alerts, meteorological warnings, local government announcements and social media updates reached residents quickly. The problem is that information does not always translate into real safety. Heat affects most severely the elderly, people living alone, the chronically ill, manual workers, children and those living in poorly ventilated flats. In many Eastern European countries, there is still a shortage of publicly accessible cool spaces, shaded streets and housing adapted to prolonged periods of extreme heat.
Hungary demonstrated a more organised crisis response. More than 2,000 cooling shelters were opened there, while the government also had to respond to energy-related problems. The Paks nuclear power plant received a temporary exemption from rules on the temperature of cooling water discharged into the Danube, in order to limit a decline in electricity production at a time of increased demand.
This example clearly shows that a heatwave is no longer only a health issue. It is also an energy issue. During extreme temperatures, electricity consumption rises because of air conditioning and cooling needs, while power plants dependent on river water may struggle to maintain full production. Similar pressures were also visible in Ukraine, where the heat placed an additional burden on an energy grid already weakened by war.
Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary were among the countries where historic temperature records were either broken or under threat. According to reports from late June, Poland recorded 40.5°C in Słubice, Czechia 41.9°C in Doksany, and Hungary 40.7°C in Budakalász. In practice, this meant that infrastructure designed for a moderate climate began operating at the limits of its capacity.
The region’s greatest problem turned out to be not the temperature itself, but the weak adaptation of public space. In many cities, concrete still dominates, while trees, fountains, green bus stops and accessible resting places remain insufficient. Shopping centres, churches, libraries or public offices could serve as temporary cooling points, but in many places there are still no procedures that would automatically activate such solutions during a heatwave.
The Balkans also had to deal with an increased risk of wildfires. Croatia issued red alerts for tourist regions, firefighters battled a blaze on the island of Vis, temperatures in Serbia reached 39°C, and Albania brought a fire near Klos under control. For countries dependent on tourism, this creates an increasingly difficult dilemma: the summer season brings income, but more and more often it also requires restrictions, warnings and evacuation readiness.
The countries and cities that coped best with the heat were those that treated it as a systemic phenomenon rather than a one-off anomaly. Weather warnings alone are necessary, but not sufficient. What is needed are local risk maps, lists of particularly vulnerable people, cooling points, adjusted working hours, more urban greenery, protection for manual workers and better coordination of medical services.
The conclusions from this heatwave are therefore mixed. Eastern Europe responded faster and more professionally than in the past. Warning systems worked, the media informed the public, and authorities urged caution. At the same time, the region was still mostly reacting on an ad hoc basis. The heat showed that future safety will depend not only on weather forecasts, but on whether cities, homes, hospitals, schools, transport systems and energy infrastructure are prepared for a climate that has already changed.
The most important lesson is simple: in Eastern Europe, heat is no longer a temporary discomfort. It has become one of the main public challenges of the summer months.
