Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic recorded their highest-ever temperatures on Saturday as an intense heatwave continued to sweep across Europe, setting new national records and prompting authorities to issue warnings.

Germany’s national weather service (DWD) said a provisional temperature of 41.5C was recorded at the Drewitz weather station in eastern Germany, surpassing the previous record of 41.3C set just a day earlier in Saarbruecken.

Denmark also registered its hottest day since records began in 1874. The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) said temperatures reached 37.0C at Odum, north of Aarhus, breaking the previous national record of 36.4C set in August 1975.

Meteorologists linked the extreme temperatures to climate change, warning that even higher temperatures could become more common. “It’s probably only a matter of time before we reach 40 degrees in Denmark,” TV2 meteorologist Peter Tanev said.

The Czech Republic also set a new national record after temperatures climbed to 40.6C in Doksany, north of Prague, exceeding the previous high of 40.4C recorded in 2012. The country’s meteorological service warned temperatures could approach or exceed 41C on Sunday.

The prolonged heatwave has disrupted daily life across the region. In Prague, tram speeds were reduced to prevent overhead power lines from warping, while water trucks sprayed city streets to reduce heat and improve air quality.

In Denmark, thousands attending the Roskilde music festival were provided with additional water stations, while many residents sought relief at beaches and public swimming areas.

Neighbouring Sweden also remained under heat alerts, with forecasters warning that temperatures in parts of the country’s south could reach between 36C and 37C in the coming days.