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WEATHER

Hitzewelle: This is how long the heatwave in Germany will last

For several days in a row, temperatures around Germany have been well over 30C. When will the heat let up?

Published: 12 August 2020 12:31 CEST
Hitzewelle: This is how long the heatwave in Germany will last
Sunflowers at sunrise in Munich on Wednesday morning. Photo: DPA

The weather in Germany continues to leave us all sweltering with temperatures up to 36C expected on Wednesday, as well as a few storms in some parts of the country.

And brace yourselves: the ‘Hitze’ is far from over. 

“What is striking about this heatwave is the endurance. At least until Wednesday one week from now, it will simply remain very hot,” said meteorologist Dominik Jung to the weather portal wetter.net. 

READ ALSO: Germany records hottest temperature of year as country braces for more heat

“And even after that it continues to be quite warm with flashes of extreme heat,” said Jung, adding that there are no signs of significant cooling down until August 21st. 

What's the outlook over the next few days?

In the northern and eastern parts of the country, the weather will remain sunny and dry throughout the day on Wednesday, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). 

In the west and along the Bavarian Alps, thunderstorms and lightning are set to strike throughout the day.

Tourists in Berlin seek out shade on Wednesday. Photo: DPA

The mercury will be the highest in the west and southwest of Germany; there temperatures are expected to climb to 36C on Wednesday.

At the sea it will become bit cooler with maximum temperatures of 25 to 30C.

READ ALSO: In Photos: This is what Germany looks like during the 'Hitze'

In Berlin, temperatures will stretch to 31C, in Frankfurt 34C, in Cologne 34C with scattered thunderstorms throughout the day, and in Munich 30C.

Thursday and Friday are similar: high temperatures of up to 36C will be met by heavy thunderstorms.

Consequences for nature

Already on Tuesday, storms had swept over larges parts of Germany, especially in the south.

Some roads were not passable due to fallen trees or landslides. In Bavaria, the Schweinfurt fire brigade was called 90 times in the evening because of the storm.

The heatwave also perpetuates the dry weather, said Jung, as there has not been enough rain throughout the year.

Germany is heading for an extreme drought for the third year in a row, with a risk of forest fires in many parts of the country, such as Berlin's neighbouring Brandenburg.

“It could hardly be worse,” said Jung. “And while everyone is cheering that it will be so beautiful in the summer, nature, forests and agriculture continue to suffer.

“The forest has already suffered a great deal of damage from the drought so far.”

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WEATHER

More rain forecast as storms hit western Germany

Severe storms and heavy rain affected parts of Germany on Thursday, creating disruptions. More rain is forecast on Friday but weather warnings have been lifted.

Published: 3 May 2024 09:53 CEST
More rain forecast as storms hit western Germany

Major storms hit western Germany on Thursday, causing travel disruption and flooding. 

In parts of Baden-Württemberg, streets were flooded and rivers swelled. Bisingen, southwest of Tübingen, was particularly hard hit, with cellars and streets plunged under water.

Police said there was also traffic disruption. In Baden-Württemberg’s state capital Stuttgart, severe storms and lightning caused issues and some roads were closed.

A lightning strike in the Sigmaringen area resulted in a broken signal box on the railway line. According to Deutsche Bahn, no train journeys were possible in the region in the early evening with several delays and cancellations.

Other states were also affected.

There were around 300 relief operations in the Ahrweiler district in Rhineland-Palatinate, which was hit by the 2021 deadly flood disaster.

Police said no-on was injured, although basements and streets were flooded. The water levels of the Ahr were being closely monitored.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Silas Stein

In Trier, too, streets were flooded after heavy rain and there were hailstorms. The Koblenz police headquarters reported fallen trees. Significant property damage due to full cellars and flooded streets was also reported in some areas. 

Heavy showers also fell in Hesse, accompanied by thunder storms. In Frankfurt, according to the fire department, the heavy rain caused water to enter the Bethanien Hospital and even reach the intensive care unit of the clinic.

“We were able to contain the damage relatively quickly and prevent it from spreading,” said fire department spokesman Thorben Schemmel, adding that no patients were affected.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Eifel region was particularly affected, with reports of flooded streets after heavy rain and hailstorms.

North Rhine-Westphalia also saw storms late in the afternoon on Thursday. 

The German Weather Service (DWD) said it expected some heavy rain and hail in parts of the country on Friday – particularly in the west – and at the weekend but warnings of severe weather have been lifted. 

The DWD said there could still be one or two strong thunderstorms in the northeast on Friday. However, it will be a significantly quieter day compared to Thursday. Temperatures of up to 25C can be expected.

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