Heat alert in Hungary: Hellish heatwave coming

Summer has started in Hungary and it’s already showing its true colours. Last week, a heat wave was forecast, and we’re marching into it right now. From Wednesday until Saturday midnight, a third-degree heat alert will be in force in the country.

heat wave hungary
From Wednesday until Saturday midnight, a third-degree heat alert will be in force in the country. Photo: MTI/Mónus Márton

Third-degree heat alert from today

A third-degree heat alert will be in effect from Wednesday to Saturday midnight, the National Public Health Centre and the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of Interior said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

According to the decision of the National Chief Medical Officer, the heat alert will be in effect from 0:00 on Wednesday until midnight on Saturday, throughout the country, Telex reports.

People at risk and precautions

The reason given is that the heat is hard even on healthy bodies, but young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with cardiovascular disease are particularly at risk.

The two government agencies urge everyone to drink plenty of water, stay out of the hot sun at midday, use sunscreen and wear a hat or cap.

During the peak of the heat, it is best to be in shade or in a cool, air-conditioned place and avoid strenuous physical work. (Find a list of air-conditioned places in the country with addresses HERE.)

If you’re going to the beach, cool down your heated body before going into the water, and don’t jump into the water with a hot and sweaty body.

If you see children or pets in cars unattended

Drivers could also be affected by the heat.

Do not leave children and pets in parked cars for even a few minutes, as even a car parked in partial shade can get dangerously hot. If you see a child or pet left in a car, call 112 immediately.

In open areas, only light fires in designated fireplaces, unless there is a fire ban in your county. It is not recommended to burn garden waste at this time. When barbecuing or cooking, do not leave the fire unattended.

High temperatures

From Wednesday, temperatures in the south of the country will rise to over 35 degrees Celsius. The highest temperatures may reach 37-38 degrees Celsius in some places.

Thus, HungaroMet has issued a second-degree heat alert for three southern counties (Békés, Csongrád-Csanád, Bács-Kiskun) on Wednesday and five counties (Tolna and Baranya, beside the above mentioned) on Thursday. In these areas, the daily mean temperature is expected to be above 27 degrees Celsius.

As Daily News Hungary wrote last week, this week will see the the first major heatwave of the summer, which means highs could reach 35 degrees for the first time this year.

Precipitation is generally unlikely this week, but a few places could see a quick rain storm.

Beaches at Lake Balaton

lake balaton beach weather sunny
Photo: Helló Magyar

All you want in this heat is to dip yourself into Lake Balaton? Understandable; however, you’d better be prepared for expensive beach tickets. As we reported HERE, some beaches at Lake Balaton saw a 50% increase in entrance ticket prices this summer. Check out our article for beach entrance fees and how they compare to 2023’s Lake Balaton prices.

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2 Comments

  1. Crestfallen.
    I personally experienced it, hospitalized for 12 days in 2022 – having to walk one flight of stairs at 11pm – from the 5 patient “dog box” size room on the floor below, that I had been admitted into that after-noon – that was NOT air-conditioned, to undergo Surgery.
    REPLUSIVE.
    Waking up in the Intensive Care Ward – asking WHY and told the lifts are still out, and until fixed you have to stay in this IC Ward.
    It was HELLISH.
    To think, it’s 5 minutes walk from Keleti Station – not the Cemetery direction, the PUBLIC Hospital I spent 12 days in – NOT Air-conditioned – 3rd World.
    2024 – don’t THINK it has been Air Conditioned.
    Orban – Fidesz Government, the HUMONGOUS acts of FAILURE to invest in the NEEDS of every Hungarians, but to through THOUGHTLESS acts, from Victor M. Orban, and the “Dud” of a Finance Minister – Mihaly Varga – to spend, use tax payers MONEY for “other” projects, just NOT Soccer Stadiums at the EXPENSE of the LIVES of Hungarians – education, hospitals, health services, public transport and “gargantuan “other” wrongful FUNDING exploits Orban / Varga have spent – wasted our taxes on – APPALLING.
    PRIORITIZATION – the Orban – Fidesz Government have FAILED it DISMALLY.
    WHAT, what – have the Orban – Fidesz Government – what after 12 plus years in Government, what have they DELIVERED us – individually and as a country ???
    Orban – the Fidesz Government, that the “Dud” Finance Minister – Mihaly Varga – is “over his head” in – what have they DELIVERED us ???
    ANSWER – they have SCUTTLED us – individually in millions and as a country.
    HOW did you Vote ?
    – did you vote on EMOTION ?
    or did you VOTE – on your CONSCIENCE ?
    Hungary, we are witnessing WORSENING effects – created by the SCUTTLERS.
    History never Lies.
    German Naval Fleet – Scapa Flow – 1919, the “Scuttling” of the German Fleet” – WHY ?
    If you READ – may ASSIST you, in understanding the SCUTTLING process of Hungary, just part of the Orban – Fidesz Governments – FAILINGS, as a Government.
    It will WORSEN.

  2. At least there is no climate crisis in Hungary. Official declaration took care of that problem. By decree – now go it and enjoy the sunshine.

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