While Žilina has a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons, including cold winters and warm summers, it does not frequently experience extreme heatwaves. However, climate patterns are changing; this can be already seen in an increased number of heatwave days per year.

The main risks connected to heatwaves in Žilina are:

• the health of the population and potentially limited capacity to respond to increasing health services needs,
• reduced crop yields affecting livestock, impacting economic losses and food security,
• spikes in energy demand; thus, a resilient energy supply is crucial to prevent blackouts.