June sets new temperature records in Lithuania, Vilnius sees hottest in 250 years

Lithuania recorded its hottest June day and night this year, with Vilnius experiencing temperatures unseen in 250 years, the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service reported.

A historic heatwave brought several all-time records. In Druskininkai, temperatures reached 36.3°C, the highest June reading ever recorded in Lithuania. The previous June record was 35.7°C, set in Kaišiadorys on June 12, 2019.

On June 27 and 28, new daily highs were recorded in Nida, Varėna, and Vilnius. The capital reached 33.6°C on June 28, marking the highest June temperature in Vilnius since regular meteorological observations began in 1778—over 250 years ago.

June also saw the warmest night on record, with temperatures in Ventspilis not dropping below 24.1°C on the night of June 29. Tropical nights, where minimum temperatures stay above 20°C, were recorded at 31 of Lithuania’s 54 weather stations during the heatwave.

A heatwave—officially defined as three or more consecutive days with maximum temperatures at or above 30°C—was observed from June 27 to July 1 in southern Lithuania, lasting longer in some areas. Shorter periods of extreme heat (one to two days) are classified as a hazardous weather phenomenon, known as a heat spell.

According to Meteo LT, the heatwave covered nearly half of the country’s weather stations (25 out of 54) between June 27 and 29.