BUDAPEST, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- 2018 was the hottest year in Hungary since records began in 1901, the National Meteorological Service (OMSZ) announced on Monday.
"Last year's national average temperature was 11.99 degrees Celsius," OMSZ reported. "This exceeds the normal value registered between 1981 and 2010 by 1.66 degrees Celsius."
According to the service, "2018 began with a very mild January, with only February and March being colder than the average of recent years."
The year continued with a hot April and May, making the spring months the 3rd hottest in Hungary, according to OMSZ.
In the summer, August was the hottest month, and autumn temperatures were also significantly higher than the average.
"There were three major heat waves last summer, with daily maximum temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius for 51 consecutive days in parts of Hungary," the statement said.
Despite the generally hot weather, last year also saw a strong cold wave at the end of February and early March. For ten days, the national average minimum temperatures stayed at about 9 degrees Celsius below zero.
