SHARE
COPY LINK

WEATHER

Brandenburg dubbed ‘hotspot of Europe’ as extreme weather continues

Sweltering temperatures have been hitting the Germany this week – but there’s also been no escape from tropical storms.

Brandenburg dubbed 'hotspot of Europe' as extreme weather continues
Children play in the sun in Storkow, Brandenburg on Wednesday. Photo: DPA

The German state of Brandenburg was dubbed the “hotspot of Europe” by forecasters after temperatures of 36C were recorded there on Wednesday, the hottest day of the year so far, reported Spiegel.

But as well as stifling heat, unpredictable storms have been hitting parts of the country, including a tornado with winds of up to 235m/h in North Rhine-Westphalia.

According to forecasts by the German Weather Service (DWD), temperatures were thought to have reached between 29 to 36C throughout the country on Wednesday, the peak of the heatwave.

However, on Thursday, fresh thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain were expected and temperatures should drop as a cooler front moves in. Torrential rain and storms were due to hit Berlin and Brandenburg in the afternoon.

It comes after a severe storm and tornado caused a huge amount of damage in Bocholt, Münsterland.

READ ALSO: Tornado rips through western German city

The tornado ripped roofs from houses, overturned cars and uprooted more than 100 trees on Tuesday night.

There were also thunder storms in other parts of Germany, including Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate, on Wednesday night.

The German Weather Service (DWD) has not ruled out the possibility of more extreme winds.

A lightning strike in Lower Saxony earlier this week. Photo: DPA

'Brandenburg is hotspot'

The DWD issued a heat warning for parts of Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony on Wednesday.

Peter Zedler of the DWD warned of the dangers of forest fires due to the extreme temperatures. Firefighters have been tackling wild fires across these regions during the heatwave.

READ ALSO: Heavy storms hit western Germany after heatwave

“Brandenburg is the hotspot of Europe,” Andreas Friedrich of the DWD added, signalling that the area was hotter than many other places across the continent.

With temperatures of up to 34C, Wednesday also become the hottest day of the year to date in Hesse, according to the DWD.

But the cold front coming up from the southwest will provide some relief – and much needed rainfall to areas where forest fires have been raging. Temperatures of around 20C are expected during the storms.

Looking ahead to the the holiday weekend, pleasant summer weather is likely in Germany, with sunshine, clouds and temperatures of around 25C. It will remain dry on the whole, but there is a chance of some showers.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

WEATHER

Spring to arrive in Germany with temperatures of up to 21C

The moment many people around Germany have been waiting for is almost here: as of Thursday, temperatures are expected to crack the 20C mark and stay warm through the start of spring.

Spring to arrive in Germany with temperatures of up to 21C

Whether it’s the pink cherry blossom trees which have started to bloom, lighter evenings or people walking around with ice cream cones, the signs of springs have already started to show around Germany in March.

Now the weather is also catching up: following rain storms on Wednesday, the mercury is expected to reach at least 20C in many parts of the Bundesrepublik on Thursday. 

READ ALSO: Seven signs that Spring has arrived in Germany

First there’s some damper news: On Wednesday, Germany – in particular the southwest – is expected to be hit by the storms. In the Black Forest, 30 to 40 litres per square metre will fall by midday, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

In the Alps, light snowfall will set in above 1,000 to 1,200 metres, with fresh snowfall of around five centimetres expected. 

The rain will ease by the following morning, but it will remain cloudy.

Up to 21C on Thursday

On Thursday, after the morning the fog disappears, people can look forward to a sunny and dry day – especially in the south and western parts of Germany. 

Temperatures will rise to a pleasant 14 to 21C degrees, with the highest values on the Upper Rhine. 

In mountainous areas and by the sea, it will remain somewhat cooler at 10C to 14C. 

Friday will be characterised by changeable weather: there will be sunny spells as well as rain showers, which will spread from the west and may be heavy in places – including thunderstorms. 

Temperatures will be between 14C and 18C degrees, and in the Lausitz region in eastern Germany it could even reach a warm 20 degrees.

Warmer weeks

While this Sunday could still see some single digit temperatures in northern parts of Germany – such as 9C in Berlin and Hamburg – the coming week is set to experience continually warmer weather, remaining at 14C and higher. 

The first day of spring officially begins this year with the Spring Equinox on March 19th. The days will become even lighter in Germany after Daylight Savings Time, which this year takes place in the early hours of Easter Sunday, or March 31st.

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Germany in March 2024

SHOW COMMENTS