Slovakia Breaks All-Time Temperature Record as Drought Leaves Communities Without Water

30.06.2026

Slovakia continues to experience one of the most severe heatwaves since meteorological records began. On Monday, 29 June, the country recorded a new all-time temperature record.

At the weather station in Turňa nad Bodvou (Turňa nad Bodvou) in the Košice Region, the air temperature reached 41°C, surpassing the previous national record of 40.3°C, which was set in Hurbanovo in July 2007. A temperature of 40.5°C was also recorded in the village of Mužla (Mužla) in southern Slovakia.

The measurements are still subject to final verification by specialists, but meteorologists are already describing the event as unprecedented. The extreme heat has affected almost the entire country. Climatologists note that Slovakia has never experienced such temperatures in June since meteorological observations began in 1871.

Forecasters warn that the heatwave will continue at least until Wednesday. On Tuesday, temperatures are again expected to reach 35–40°C, with only the northern parts of the country seeing highs of around 33°C. Wednesday will become more humid and muggy, with heavy showers and thunderstorms expected in some areas. A significant cooldown is forecast only for Thursday, when daytime temperatures should fall to 23–30°C, and to 18–23°C in northern regions.

Drought

The prolonged heat has further worsened the drought situation. According to the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ), extreme drought now affects around 37% of Slovakia’s territory. Over the past three months, the precipitation deficit has reached 75–100 mm across most of the country, while some parts of Zemplín, the Danubian Lowland, and Záhorie have recorded even larger shortfalls. Climatologists warn that conditions are likely to deteriorate further in the coming days, particularly in western and eastern Slovakia.

The lack of rainfall has also significantly increased the risk of wildfires. Meteorologists warn of a high probability of fires igniting and spreading rapidly across almost the entire country.

The drought is already affecting water supplies. In 37 municipalities in the Záhorie region of western Slovakia, water utilities have reported a sharp increase in water consumption—on average twice the normal level, while in some villages usage has risen two to three times above usual. Residents have been urged to stop watering gardens, filling swimming pools, and using drinking water for other non-essential purposes in order to preserve supplies.

Restrictions have already been introduced in several communities. In the Nový Cabaj (Nový Cabaj) district near Nitra, water is now supplied only according to a schedule, with availability limited to several two-hour periods each day. Authorities say the measure is necessary due to critically low water sources combined with exceptionally high consumption.

A state of emergency has also been declared in the Banky (Banky) district of Banská Štiavnica in central Slovakia, where dried-up wells have left both residents and tourists dependent on drinking water delivered by tanker trucks. According to local authorities, the problem recurs almost every summer, but this year’s extreme heat has made the situation particularly severe. A new water pipeline, currently awaiting state funding, is expected to provide a long-term solution.

Water supply problems have also been reported in the areas of Kremnica, Nitra, Hlohovec, and parts of eastern Slovakia.