Czech Republic and Slovakia brace for extreme heat wave

An intense heat wave is sweeping Central Europe in early August 2026, with temperatures soaring to 39‑40 °C in South Moravia and southern Slovakia. Both the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) and the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) have issued third‑degree heat alerts for the most affected regions. The Slovak public‑health office warned that “high outdoor temperatures can cause overheating of the body… severe collapse states may lead to deaths, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and chronically ill patients.”

Health authorities in both countries urge regular fluid intake, reduced physical activity, shade, head coverings and sunscreen. Fire risk is also heightened; dry conditions have already forced a temporary halt to navigation on the Danube and prompted fire‑danger alerts. Forecasts indicate a cooling front with showers and thunderstorms expected later in the week, which should bring relief after the peak of the heat.

Meteorologists stress that the heat stress will be “very strong to extreme” and that the situation poses a significant public‑health burden across the two nations.