By Abbas Nazil
Denmark recorded its highest temperature in history on Saturday after the mercury reached 37.0°C during an intense heatwave sweeping across Europe.
The Danish Meteorological Institute (Danish Meteorological Institute) confirmed that the new national record was first observed at 36.6°C north of Odense before rising shortly after to 37.0°C in two locations, including Beldringe and Odum.
Officials noted that the previous all-time temperature record in Denmark stood at 36.4°C and had been set in August 1975, highlighting the exceptional nature of the new reading.
The meteorological agency also stated in a post on social media platform X that the earlier record “lasted exactly one hour” before being surpassed as temperatures continued to climb under persistent heatwave conditions.
A meteorologist from the institute confirmed that 37.0°C had now been officially registered as the highest temperature ever measured in the country since systematic records began in 1874.
Residents in Copenhagen and other urban areas reportedly struggled with the extreme conditions, with many turning to public fountains, shaded areas, and waterfronts to cool down amid rising discomfort.
Visitors attending the Roskilde music festival also experienced significant disruption from the heat, as organizers introduced additional water stations to support tens of thousands of attendees facing high temperatures.
A participant at the festival described the conditions as extremely difficult, while local broadcasters reported widespread exhaustion among attendees transporting equipment and luggage across the site.
Meteorologists have linked the record-breaking temperatures to broader climate trends, noting that unusually intense and frequent heatwaves have become more common across Europe in recent years due to global warming.
Experts further warned that, given current patterns, it may only be a matter of time before Denmark experiences temperatures approaching 40°C, a level previously considered highly unlikely for the region.
Across Europe, the same heatwave has contributed to multiple national temperature records, with reports of heat-related illnesses, drowning incidents, and increased pressure on emergency services in several countries.
An analysis cited by international observers suggested that nearly 200 million people across parts of Europe were exposed to temperatures above 35°C as the prolonged heat event continued to affect the region.
