Denmark records its hottest day ever amid extreme heatwave

Denmark shattered its all-time temperature record on Saturday, registering a scorching 36.6 degrees Celsius north of Odense. This historic measurement, confirmed by the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), officially surpassed the previous record of 36.4 degrees Celsius, which had stood since 1975 in Holstebro.

Forecasters at DMI anticipate temperatures could climb even higher throughout Saturday afternoon. The record-breaking measurement was taken at H.C. Andersen Airport, north of Odense. By mid-morning, with temperatures already reaching 33.5 degrees Celsius in multiple locations, it was clear the existing record was in jeopardy. Fyn quickly followed suit, reporting 34.9 degrees Celsius at the same airport just half an hour later.

This extreme heat is a stark deviation from the norm; the average maximum June temperature over the past decade has been a mere 19.1 degrees Celsius. Saturday's reading of over 35 degrees Celsius is therefore highly unusual. DMI's heatwave warning, in effect since Friday noon, is expected to conclude Sunday evening.

The day also saw records fall for the warmest June day, with 35.8 degrees Celsius recorded at H.C. Andersen Airport earlier in the day, breaking a record from 1947. The extreme heat extended into the night, with Nordby on Fanø island recording a low of 22.5 degrees Celsius, making it the warmest June night since meteorological records began in 1874. The previous June night record was 22.4 degrees Celsius, set in 1917 and 2022.

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The temperature will rise further during the afternoon.