Published: Less than 50 min ago
Updated: Less than 10 minutes ago
TARGET LILLA. In Målilla in Småland, preparations were made for the 75-year-old record of 38.0 degrees to be broken today.
Instead, the town clamped down with the year’s highest temperature of 36.6 degrees.
But the thermometer in the center still showed 40 degrees at 3 p.m.
– Wonderful, says target resident Jan Hedlund.
In small Målilla, with around 1,500 inhabitants, the winters are freezing cold and the summers scorching hot.
In 1947, the village measured 38.0 degrees, which to date is the hottest temperature in all of Sweden since temperatures began to be officially recorded.
Today, the village prepared for the record to be broken. The town instead clamped down with a new high for the year – 36.6 degrees, according to TT.
But the thermometer in the center still showed 40 degrees at 3 p.m.
The SMHI reported this morning that the record could be in jeopardy. They measure the temperature at their measuring stations every hour, and stated earlier in the day that a possible record announcement had to wait until the evening.
Jan Hedlund hoped to see a new heat record. Now he gets to celebrate the unofficial record instead.
– We are very proud of our heat record. It would have been a highlight for Målilla if the record was broken today so that we get back on the map, he said earlier in the day.
Train traffic is affected
A few meters away is Leif Hagblom, according to him the heat of the day is far too noticeable.
– 22 is best for me. But it will be better tomorrow.
Lots of water and AC on full blast are his tips for those who dislike the hottest summer days.
Train traffic in Sweden and Småland has also been affected by the heat.
Krösatågen has canceled most of today’s departures between Linköping and Kalmar. On its website, Kalmar länstrafik writes that it is done “due to weather conditions”.
The traffic there is instead replaced by buses, but it has been difficult to get hold of them today, which meant that some train travelers had to wait a few extra hours for a replacement bus.
SJ also writes on their website that many of their passengers will experience delays today.
Water limbo
A little over a mile outside Målilla, around fifteen young people and adults are celebrating their summer vacation. They participate in an LSS check for young people with disabilities.
The camp is 13 days long, and the heat today is palpable.
Today’s activities are water-inspired. First, everyone pours water on each other, and then the game turns into water limbo.
However, most people do not try to get under the jet of water, but happily wade through it to cool off in the summer heat.