Slovakia braces for extreme summer weather as El Niño peaks

Scientists report that the El Niño phenomenon in the central Pacific has entered a record‑strength phase, with sea‑surface temperature anomalies reaching 2.1 °C above average. Models give a 100 % chance the event will continue into March 2027, bringing above‑average temperatures worldwide, especially to Europe, North Africa, large parts of Asia and the western United States.

In Slovakia, the heatwave has prompted several responses. The national railway operator ZSSK says about 90 % of its fleet is now equipped with air‑conditioning and has stepped up preventive maintenance to cope with temperatures near 40 °C. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) issued first‑level storm warnings for all regions ahead of an expected thunderstorm evening, with wind gusts of 65‑85 km/h and localized heavy rain. Health officials note that the August heat wave caused more than 14 000 deaths globally; Slovak temperatures are currently below 30 °C but further hot periods are possible. Additionally, the Slovak general prosecutor Maroš Žilinka has urged the interior ministry to act promptly on the registration of same‑sex marriages performed abroad, highlighting a parallel political development.