New record to be set at the weekend
The hottest day of the year is expected, and the national record could also fall in the next couple of days, according to the National Meteorological Service (OMSZ).
The highest ever temperature in Hungary was recorded on July 28, 1983 in Tiszakécsek. That was 38 degrees. Temperatures of 31-36 degrees have been forecast for today (Thursday), but still higher temperatures are expected for Friday and Satuday, meaning that there is every chance of a new record being set, according to the OMSZ's Szilvia Jenki.
The absolute temperature record in Hungary over the past century was the 41.7 degrees measured on August 21, 2000 in Békéscsaba. It is still impossible to say whether the absolute record will be beaten, according to the meteorologist.
Pál Győrfi, a spokesman for the National Ambulance Service said that they had received 15-20% more calls on Wednesday due to the high temperatures, but that they were expecting a huge rise in calls on Thursday and Friday. He said that the number of call-outs could rise by 30-40% as a result of the extreme heat. This would mean more than 400 call-outs in Budapest each day, up 100 on the usual figure.
