Hungary is being battered by intense midsummer heat. The government and transport operators have introduced extensive emergency measures to protect the population from the dangers of extreme temperatures.
A nationwide Level 2 heat warning has been in effect since Saturday and is currently scheduled to remain in force until midnight on Tuesday. As the extreme temperatures pose a significant burden on both people and nature, authorities, the capital city, and many major cities across the country have switched to emergency operations.
A wide range of immediate measures—including misting gates, additional drinking fountains, and regular street watering—are being used to ease the unbearable heat in urban areas.
Since Saturday, the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) has been distributing free drinking water daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at busy main railway stations and larger rural stations directly on the platforms. MÁV has been handing out bottled drinking water to passengers at railway stations since June 20, 2026.
Photo: A bottled drinking water distribution point set up by the MÁV Group for passengers at Keleti Railway Station. MTI/Bodnár Boglárka
The road maintenance company Magyar Közút and the motorway concession operators have also been instructed by Minister of Transport and Investment Dávid Vitézy to prepare intensively for the exceptional situation.
Photo: MTI/Bodnár Boglárka
If major traffic jams or delays occur on the expressway network, emergency teams are ready to provide stranded motorists with drinking water immediately. Road maintenance authorities have also been asked to schedule planned construction work in a way that minimizes traffic disruption.
For people unable to find relief from the heat in their homes, over 2,000 air-conditioned public spaces are available nationwide.
A complete list of these cooling centers has been published by Health Minister Zsolt Hegedűs on social media.
Photo: MTI/Kocsis Zoltán
Meanwhile, the Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) issued a warning to all drivers: “No one should leave children or animals in a car, not even for a single minute—even if the vehicle is parked in the shade.”
The interior of a car parked in direct sunlight can heat up to over 50–60°C within just 10–15 minutes. However, even a car parked in the shade can quickly become a deadly trap. Under such extreme temperatures, the human and animal body can no longer effectively release heat, leading inevitably to dehydration and potentially death.
Heat warnings were already justified on Saturday when Hungary’s heat record for the year was broken:
In the town of Aszód, temperatures reached 37.1°C.
Sunday’s thunderstorms briefly freshened the air across many parts of the country, bringing temperature drops of 10–15°C in some locations. Several Budapest districts and settlements in the east, however, were battered by a powerful afternoon storm, prompting numerous callouts for firefighters due to fallen trees, snapped branches, and damaged rooftops.
Conditions quickly warmed up again afterward, leaving the air even more humid and stifling than before.
According to the meteorological service HungaroMet, there is currently no end to the heatwave in sight—in fact, conditions are expected to worsen.
Monday
The week begins with plenty of sunshine, although cloud development will increase during the afternoon. Especially east of the Danube, and later elsewhere, several waves of showers and thunderstorms are expected, some of them severe. These may be accompanied by heavy downpours, hail, and strong wind gusts. In Transdanubia, northerly winds will strengthen noticeably. High temperatures will range from 30–35°C.
Tuesday and Wednesday
Weather conditions will calm somewhat. Mostly sunny skies with occasional clouds are expected. The risk of showers and thunderstorms decreases significantly. Daytime temperatures will continue to range between 30–35°C, while nighttime temperatures in urban areas and near bodies of water will barely drop below 20°C.
Thursday and Friday
The heat will intensify further. Bright, dry, and sunny summer weather is expected. Temperatures will rise to around 36°C on Thursday and reach a preliminary peak of 32–37°C on Friday.
Weekend
The weather is expected to remain stable, dry, and extremely hot through the weekend. With uninterrupted sunshine and only light winds, temperatures of 32–38°C are forecast for both Saturday and Sunday. Residents are advised to stay in the shade during midday hours and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Kocsis Zoltán
