Heat already in eastern Europe. "Red Alert" for Poland.
On Saturday morning, at 9:10 a.m., on the western part weather station in this region recorded 30.1°C
Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow,Poland, is closing some of its stately chambers to protect its collections from the heat. From June 27th until the end of August, some chambers are closed to visitors. Tourists will not be able to see the Italian Cabinet, the Hen's Foot, the Cabinet in Sigismund's Tower, the Dutch Cabinet, or the Collector's Cabinet, among others.
These restrictions stem from the need to ensure appropriate climatic conditions in historic interiors, which are impossible due to high temperatures.
In modern museums, air conditioning and monitoring systems ensure an appropriate microclimate, but in historic interiors, any technical intervention is limited by conservation requirements. Often, the only way to protect the collections is to limit tourist traffic and close some exhibitions.
This is a sign that climate change is affecting not only residents but also the most valuable monuments.
"Wawel Castle survived wars, fires, partitions, and occupation, but it must learn to function in conditions its builders never considered," says climatologist Jacek Michnoś.
Record heat is already in Poland.
"Red alert" has been issued for most regions.
Forecasters from the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) predict that thermometers at weather stations in western Poland near the German border will reach temperatures as high as 41°C. The record high of 40.2°C was recorded in this region on July 29, 1921.
On Saturday morning, at 9:10 a.m., the Sanice weather station in this region recorded 30.1°C, according to the Polish Meteorology Institute.
The heatwave will begin to subside on Monday – first on the Baltic Coast.
In southeastern Poland, the heatwave is expected to last until Wednesday.
According to AFP, at least 101 million Europeans have experienced temperatures above 35°C in the past few days. Several hundred people have died, including a three-year-old child found dead in a car in Paris and people who drowned while trying to cool off.