39 degrees in Switzerland, 41.7 in Germany – Europe sees heat records tumble

Europe is grappling with extreme heat as temperatures shatter records across the continent. Germany experienced its warmest night on record, with temperatures in Kubschütz, Saxony, not dropping below 29.4 degrees Celsius. This surpasses the previous record set in 2003. Daytime temperatures also hit a new high, reaching 41.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday, narrowly exceeding Saturday's record of 41.5 degrees. The intense heat led to overcrowding at public swimming pools in Berlin, forcing authorities to halt ticket sales over the weekend due to the massive influx of people seeking relief. In Switzerland, Basel-Binningen registered 39 degrees Celsius on Saturday, marking a new record for the city since measurements began in 1897. The extreme heat placed a significant strain on emergency services in Basel, particularly during the Eidgenössische Jodlerfest. Between Friday and Sunday, paramedics responded to approximately 300 incidents, primarily related to circulatory issues such as collapses, exhaustion, and heart problems. Additional teams had to be called in from their free time to cope with the demand, as existing capacities were insufficient. The heat has also impacted infrastructure, causing cracks in the concrete pavement on the A3 motorway near Walensee. Meteorologists predict that temperatures in Switzerland could potentially reach 45 degrees Celsius or higher under certain conditions.