Copyright 2019 CNN(CNN) - Germany recorded its highest-ever June temperature on Wednesday, as much of continental Europe contends with a major heat wave.
The previous record stood at 38.5 Celsius (101.3 Fahrenheit), which was measured in 1947 in Bhlertal, which lies close to France.
The longevity of the previous record -- 72 years -- shows just how unusual and intense the current heat wave is in Europe.
France's national weather forecaster Mto-France, increased the number of heat-related weather alerts to 78 on Wednesday from earlier 65.
A new June temperature record was also set neighboring Poland, where meteorologists measured 38.2 Celsius.