As global temperatures soar to unprecedented levels, the Czech Republic has witnessed a staggering 57 tropical days this year, marking the third-highest count since 1990. Meteorologists define a tropical day as one where temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F), and this year’s tally underscores the intensifying impact of climate change in Central Europe.
The southern Moravian town of Strážnice emerged as the hottest spot in the country, recording a whopping 47 tropical days. This region, historically known for its warm climate, has seen a dramatic shift in recent decades. From the 1960s to the 1980s, Strážnice would typically experience no more than 20 such days, often far fewer. However, in the past decade, this number has consistently hovered around 40, with projections suggesting it could reach 50 to 60 days by 2050.
This year’s heat wasn’t confined to a single area. Ten other weather stations across the country recorded over 40 tropical days, with Brod nad Dyjí, Tuhaň, and Doksany tying for second place at 44 days each. The prolonged heat culminated in a 13-day streak of tropical temperatures from August 27 to September 8, the longest such period this year.
Perhaps most alarming is the early onset of these high temperatures. The first tropical day of 2024 was recorded on April 7 in Prague’s Komořany district, České Budějovice, and Čáslav, shattering the previous record set on April 17, 1934. This early arrival of summer-like conditions serves as a stark reminder of our changing climate.
While the current count stands at 57 days, meteorologists caution that this number may not be final. Historically, tropical days have been recorded as late as October, with the latest on record occurring on October 4, 1929, in České Budějovice, where temperatures reached 30.3°C. As autumn approaches, the Czech Republic reflects on a summer that has rewritten the record books and raised urgent questions about the future of its climate.