Germany at the start of the week was bracing for the next incoming heatwave, brining heat warnings to parts of the country from Wednesday.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the hottest conditions are expected in Franconia and along the Upper Rhine, where temperatures could come close to the 40C mark.
Your forecast for the week:
The heat is expected to build in the south and west before spreading across much of the country later in the week.
Tuesday effectively marked the beginning of the hot spell, with the Upper Rhine region warming to around 33C under clear blue skies.
Elsewhere, much of Germany expected highs between 26C and 31C, although the north and northeast were set to remain noticeably cooler at 20C to 27C with the chance of showers in places.
Pro-tip: In most places in Germany, Tuesday night will be the last chance to air out and really cool down your flat overnight.
DWD meteorologist Markus Eifried advised residents to make the most of the cooler overnight temperatures before the heat settles in: “The night to Wednesday is the last cool night to ventilate.” Overnight lows then are expected to range between 10C and 20C, ahead of much warmer nights arrive later in the week.
On Wednesday, the heat is expected to intensify across much of central and southern Germany with high temperatures topping 30C, and even climbing as high as 37C in the southwest.
Even Germany’s normally cooler coastal regions will see temperatures climbing towards 30C.
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Heat expected to peak on Thursday
The hottest day of the week is currently expected to be Thursday.
Temperatures of up to 39C are forecast for Franconia and the Upper Rhine, while many other inland areas of Germany will see highs well above 30C.
Even the North Sea and Baltic coasts, which tend to avoid the worst of the summer heat, could join the 30+ club, with high temperatures of around 31C expected.
For anyone lucky enough to be near the beach, it’ll be a great excuse to grab the coolers filled with ice and head for the coast (or your nearest good swimming lake). Sunny weather is expected to dominate in many places through to Thursday.
However, as was also seen during the last heatwave, the Germany Weather Service (DWD) says the hot weather could also be accompanied by scattered showers and thunderstorms from later on Thursday. The risk is highest from the southwest through western Germany and into the northwest, where isolated storms could bring torrential rain, hail and strong winds.
When will it cool down?
Friday is expected to remain very hot in many parts of the country, with temperatures still reaching up to 37C in parts of Bavaria.
In other parts of southern, central and eastern Germany, temperatures will hover above 30C, while the north-western regions can expect a bit of relief.
Around this time, the likelihood of thunderstorms increases significantly, particularly from the southwest through central Germany and towards the northeast. Forecasters say locally severe weather is possible.
Beyond the end of the week, the DWD expects conditions to remain very warm to hot over the weekend, with temperatures in the southwest potentially climbing above 35C again on Sunday and Monday.
Risk of wildfires
As France and Spain continue to battle massive wildfires, hot and dry conditions are also increasing the risk of fire in Germany.
Authorities are urging people to avoid lighting barbecues or campfires in forests and to dispose of cigarettes responsibly, in line with guidance from the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK).
Health officials are also reminding residents to take extra care during the hottest part of the week, as older adults, young children, pregnant people and people with underlying health conditions are considered particularly vulnerable during periods of extreme heat.
The advice remains the same: drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon, keep homes shaded during the day and open windows overnight while temperatures are still low enough to let cooler air in.
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