Heatwave Pushes Denmark to Hottest Day Since 1874Denmark has recorded its highest temperature since records began more than 150 years ago, as an intense heatwave pushed temperatures to unprecedented levels across Scandinavia.
The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) said temperatures reached 36.6C north of Odense on Friday, surpassing the previous national record of 36.4C set in August 1975.
“With 36.6°C north of Odense, we have the warmest day ever since measurements began in 1874,” the DMI said in a post on X, adding that “the day isn’t over yet”.
Meteorologists had earlier warned that the long-standing record could be broken as hot weather spread across the country, prompting thousands of people to seek relief at beaches and public swimming areas.
The extreme heat coincided with the opening of the Roskilde music festival, one of Europe’s largest music events, where organisers introduced additional water stations for around 50,000 attendees.
One festivalgoer told Danish broadcaster DR that carrying luggage to the campsite in the soaring temperatures was “unbearable”.
TV2 meteorologist Peter Tanev said temperatures could climb even further later in the afternoon.
“The heat usually doesn’t peak until the middle of the afternoon, so we’re not done yet,” he said.
The heatwave has also affected neighbouring Sweden, where the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute warned that temperatures in the south of the country could reach as high as 35C.
The unusually high temperatures across Scandinavia have raised concerns over the growing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in northern Europe, where such extreme conditions have historically been rare.
