It will be very hot in the summer of 2026 (part 2)

Forecast: Live broadcast of Svetlana Dragan on February 22, 2026, link

Question:

Svetlana, you said that the Earth's poles would shift this year. Is there an estimate for how the climate might change? …

S. Dragan:

… But it seems it will be very hot in summer, especially starting from July. I think that despite all the cold we experienced, it's likely to be a warmer climate. But I can't guarantee that right now, because this issue needs to be studied. But it seems it will be warmer than usual.

Forecast: Global forecast for July 2026. Part 1 (published on June 28, 2026, link)

S. Dragan:

But July 2026 will add fuel to the fire with the most intense events, a desperate power struggle, adding other complexities to this spicy dish, as if calling nature to participate in this hot spectacle. And who knows, perhaps at that time she will become the main actor.

In Part 1 "Confirmation" from July 24, 2026, it was noted that the summer before mid-July had become hotter than usual, leading to anomalous wildfires (see Confirmation from August 4, 2026).

But the calendar summer has ended - let's analyze it overall and how well it corresponds to what was predicted.

Europe: Heatwaves and Temperature Records

Europe experienced numerous heatwaves during the summer of 2026, which lasted with short breaks, each almost 10 days long. These heatwaves repeated in June, July, and August 2026.

Temperatures reaching 40 degrees and above were recorded in various countries, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Some heat records from each of these waves:

• In Germany, in July, temperatures reached 41.7 degrees Celsius, with historical maxima being broken over three consecutive days.
• In France, on June 24, it was the hottest day on record: the average temperature across the country was 30 degrees Celsius, with some areas reaching 43.8 degrees Celsius.
• In Spain, temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several cities, with a record of 40.5 degrees Celsius in Barcelona on July 8-the highest in over a century of observations.
• Records were also set in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland.

The heat record in Poland on August 12-40.6 degrees Celsius.

Asia: All-Time Heat Record in South Korea

On August 3, 2026, reports emerged in Asia that the South Korean city of Yangsan experienced the hottest temperature ever recorded in the country's history. Air temperatures reached a staggering +42.5 degrees Celsius, marking an absolute high since observations began in 1904.

June and July 2026 - Hottest on Record in Western Europe

According to the Copernicus program for remote sensing and mapping of Earth, June and July 2026 were the hottest months ever recorded in Western Europe.

In some Western European countries, air temperatures in July were 3-5 degrees Celsius above average. National temperature records were broken in Central Europe, particularly in Austria and Slovakia.

August 2026 was no less record-breaking hot. On August 4, 2026, a temperature of 40.8 °C was recorded in a suburb of Vienna, becoming Austria's absolute record high for all time.

Austria's previous national temperature record was set in 2013 at 40.5 °C (recorded in Bad Deutsch-Altensel).

Slovakia: several national records in one summer

On August 5, 2026, a new heat record of 41.4 °C was recorded in Slovakia, the highest ever in the country's history of instrumental weather observations.

The highest-ever recorded air temperature in Slovakia has been reached - 41.4 °C. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute reported this on its website.

Thermometers in Slovakia's Bratislava reached a high of +40.8 °C on August 4, 2026, the highest reading ever recorded.

Slovakia has recorded the highest air temperature in its history of meteorological observations. On August 6th, thermometers in the village of Dolne-Plahtince in the south of the country reached 42.2 degrees Celsius.

Historical temperature maxima have been recorded in Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. Slovak meteorologists announced a new national record in Dolne Pleštince, at 42 degrees Celsius.

Impact on People and the Economy

The sudden heatwave in Europe has had a significant negative impact on residents and the economy of virtually all countries in the region.

Anomalous heat has led to a substantial increase in mortality. For example, over 2,000 people died from the heat in the UK, with 753 deaths occurring between May 24-27.

The heatwave not only caused discomfort for citizens but also serious economic problems.

Europe found itself on the brink of a major energy collapse.

Due to abnormal heat and water shortages, nuclear power plants in four countries have been forced to reduce their power output, and one of them, the Hungarian "Paks," has even stopped electricity generation for the first time in 44 years on August 2 night.

This came as an unexpected blow to Ukraine, as almost half of all electricity it purchases comes from Hungary. Ukraine's own power plants are in a half-ruined state, and the entire system relies on imports. However, European countries will also face difficulties, as they are all connected by one energy chain.

Abnormal heat has not only caused discomfort for European citizens but also led to serious economic problems. The main culprit is the drought. In Dresden alone, over 500 rivers and streams have become shallow or partially dried up. To preserve what remains, authorities have imposed a ban on water extraction from surface water bodies until at least the end of October.

Rivers are drying up rapidly, and small businesses are struggling to survive.

"In the past, we experienced similar droughts every 10-13 years, but in the last 20 years, climate change has significantly impacted the situation. Just in the last decade, we've had seven instances where we had to end the season in July. Obviously, our business can't withstand that." noted Thomas Hennig, owner of the sailing school.

The drop in Danube water levels also affected the operation of the only nuclear power plant in Romania, located in Cernavoda. On July 28, the first power unit was shut down. Later reports indicated plans to also stop the second power unit.

The economic losses from the heatwave for the UK are estimated at around $6 billion.

S. Dragan:

… I cannot tell you about such local points (this or that region of the world) how the climate will change. I can only assume that it will not be stable immediately, it will change…

(continued)