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Highest temperatures in Europe: A map and list of records

Author: Vibor Cipan Published on: July 17, 2021, and filed under Climate and weather
  • The highest temperature ever in Europe was 48.0 °C (Greece, July 10, 1977)
  • Iceland's record high was just 30.5 °C
  • Ireland and Iceland never recorded temperatures above 35 °C - Irish record is 33.3 °C
The map of Europe with record high temperatures for every country

Another summer, another heatwave scorching Europe. Following the latest developments, here is the map and list of the highest temperature records in Europe.

What are the highest temperatures recorded in European countries?

UPDATE #1: July 19, 2022 – The UK just recorded its new highest temperature record of 40.3 °C (104.5 °F)

UPDATE #2: Potentially, a new European record was set on August 11, 2021, in Italy. If confirmed by the WMO, it will replace Athens. Read more about this.

UPDATE #3: Spain hits the new highest temperature record, set on August 14, 2021, and confirmed two days later.

At the moment of writing this article (June 2021, updated in July 2022), large parts of southern and central Europe are experiencing a heatwave. Temperatures are expected to hit 37 °C- 39 °C in some areas. While this heatwave will likely set no new highest temperature records in, it is a good moment to explore the highest recorded temperatures in Europe.

According to the WMO, the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe was 48.0 °C in Greece (Athens) on July 10, 1977. Coincidently, July 10 is the anniversary of the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth.

The map also shows the temperature of 49 °C recorded in Turkey – however, since this temperature was recorded in the Asian part of Turkey, it is not considered a European record. The map will be updated as soon as the UK’s MetOffice officially confirms its new national record set on July 19, 2022.

The map of Europe with record high temperatures for every country
The map of Europe with record high temperatures for every country

Southern Europe dominates the map

As expected, southern Europe tops the list of highest temperatures recorded in Europe. From Europe’s record in Greece, all the way to 47.4 °C in Portugal, 47.4 °C in Spain (set on August 14, 2021), 47.0 °C  in Italy, and 46 °C in southern France – this part of our continent can be scorching hot.

Balkan countries

Balkan countries also get some hot summers. Bosnia and Herzegovina tops the list with the record from Mostar set on July 31, 1901, measuring 46.2 °C. North Macedonia is a close second with 45.7 °C, followed by the Bulgarian record of 45.2 °C. Serbia was just 0.1 °C ahead of its southern neighbor Montenegro where record temperatures of 44.8 °C were recorded in at least two situations. The first time in Podgorica (August 16, 2007) and then five years later (August 8, 2012) in Danilovgrad.

Albania‘s record is at 44.8 °C, with its northern neighbor Kosovo standing at 42.0 °C.

Central Europe

Being at the crossroads of Meditteranean (Southern Europe) and Central Europe, Croatia holds the highest temperature recorded in this region. Its national record of 42.8 °C was recorded in Ploče on August 5, 1981. All other countries from this region also have their highs above 40 °C – from 41.9 °C in Hungary to 40.2 in Poland.

Eastern Europe

Russia tops the list (its European part) with a recorded high of 45.4 °C. That is 0.9 °C above the Romanian national record of 44.5 °C. Belarus is the only country in this region with a national record below 40 °C – standing at 38.9 

Baltics and Nordics

As expected, milder highest temperature records are expected in this region. Iceland, truly a land of ice, has the lowest record in Europe, with its record high reaching 30.5 °C – that is 17.5 °C colder than Europe’s record from Greece. The highest temperature recorded in this region is from Sweden. There have been at least two occasions when Sweden recorded 38.0 °C as the highest temperature ever. The first time it happened was on July 9, 1933 (Ultuna), and the second time was on June 29, 1947, in Målilla.

Western Europe

Due to the Atlantic ocean’s effects and milder climate, Ireland‘s record is 33.3 °C – making it the only second country in Europe (after Iceland) with the highest temperature ever recorded, not reaching over 35 °C.

The UK got its new national record of 40.3 °C in 2022, while all Belenux countries also have their record highs above 40 degrees – from 41.8 °C in Belgium to 40.7 in the Netherlands. Neighbouring Germany boasts 41.2 °C as their recorded high, only 0.3 °C lower than Switzerland‘s national record standing at 41.5 °C.

Table of highest temperatures recorded for European countries

 

COUNTRY TEMPERATURE LOCATION DATE
Albania 43.9 °C (111.0 °F) Kuçovë 18 July 1973
Andorra 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) Borda Vidal 28 June 2019
Armenia 43.7 °C (110.7 °F) Meghri 1 August 2011
Azerbaijan 46.0 °C (114.8 °F) Julfa & Ordubad
Austria 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) Bad Deutsch-Altenburg 8 August 2013
Belarus 38.9 °C (102.0 °F) Gomel 7 August 2010
Belgium 41.8 °C (107.2 °F) Begijnendijk 25 July 2019
Bosnia and Herzegovina 46.2 °C (115.2 °F) Mostar 31 July 1901
Bulgaria 45.2 °C (113.4 °F) Sadovo 5 August 1916
Croatia 42.8 °C (109.0 °F) Ploče 5 August 1981
Cyprus 46.2 °C (115.2 °F) Nicosia 4 September 2020
Czech Republic 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) Dobřichovice 20 August 2012
Denmark 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) Holstebro 10 August 1975
Estonia 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) Võru 11 August 1992
Finland 37.2 °C (99.0 °F) Joensuu Airport 29 July 2010
France 46.0 °C (114.8 °F) Vérargues & Hérault 28 June 2019
Georgia 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) Tbilisi ?? July 2018
Germany 41.2 °C (106.2 °F) Duisburg-Baerl & Tönisvorst 25 July 2019
Greece 48.0 °C (118.4 °F) Athens 10 July 1977
Hungary 41.9 °C (107.4 °F) Kiskunhalas 20 July 2007
Iceland 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) Teigarhorn 22 June 1939
Ireland 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) Kilkenny Castle 26 June 1887
Italy 47.0 °C (116.6 °F) Foggia 25 June 2007
Latvia 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) Ventspils 4 August 2014
Lithuania 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) Zarasai 30 July 1994
Luxembourg 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) Steinsel 25 July 2019
Malta 43.8 °C (110.8 °F) Malta Int’l Airport 9 August 1999
Moldova 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) Fălești 7 August 2012
Montenegro 44.8 °C (112.6 °F) Podgorica & Danilovgrad 16 Aug 2007, 8 Aug 2012
Netherlands 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) Gilze en Rijen 25 July 2019
North Macedonia 45.7 °C (114.3 °F) Demir Kapija 24 July 2007
Norway 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) Nesbyen 20 June 1970
Poland 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) Prószków 29 July 1921
Portugal 47.4 °C (117.3 °F) Amareleja 1 August 2003
Romania 44.5 °C (112.1 °F) Ion Sion 10 August 1951
Russia (in Europe) 45.4 °C (113.7 °F) Utta 12 July 2010
San Marino 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) Serravalle 3 and 9 August 2017
Serbia 44.9 °C (112.8 °F) Smederevska Palanka 24 July 2007
Slovakia 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) Hurbanovo 20 July 2007
Slovenia 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) Cerklje ob Krki 8 August 2013
Spain 47.4 °C (117.3 °F) Montoro 14 August 2021
Sweden 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) Ultuna & Målilla 9 July 1933, 29 June 1947
Switzerland 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) Grono 11 August 2003
Turkey 49.0 °C (120.2 °F) Cizre 27 August 1961
Ukraine 42.0 °C (107.6 °F) Luhansk 12 August 2010
United Kingdom 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) Coningsby 19 July 2022 (TBC)
Vatican City 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) Vatican City 2 August 2017

While the best effort was made to check the data and temperature values, there might be some errors. Therefore, if you notice an error, feel free to reach out and let me know – shout at me on Twitter – I am happy to update the maps.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vibor Cipan

With over 15 years of professional work in technology, Vibor Cipan is a recognized leader in this field. His contributions at Microsoft, where he earned the prestigious MVP title, set the stage for his roles as CEO and Co-Founder of UX Passion, and later on, Point Jupiter, a data-informed agency. There, he led teams that shaped services for over 400 million users globally. His work spans UX design and software development, driving significant contributions in both fields.

Currently immersed in the generative AI sector, Cipan is taking part in projects revolutionizing software development and user engagement. His expertise extends into data viz, analytics and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), where he actively develops proofs of concept and explores AI's role in shaping societal dynamics and national security.

An accomplished author and speaker, Vibor continues to share his insights at international venues, advocating for innovation and a richer understanding of technology's impact on society.

You can follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter/X as @viborc.

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