Europe Swelters as Heatwave Intensifies, Threatening 40°C in Germany

Germany and large parts of Europe are bracing for another week of intense heat, with the German Weather Service (DWD) issuing warnings for extreme heat and severe thunderstorms, particularly in the southwest.

Temperatures in some southwestern German locations could climb above 40 degrees Celsius by mid-week, although this remains uncertain. The DWD also indicated that the heat could return to northern Germany later in the week, with a potential cooling trend not expected before the upcoming weekend.

Across Europe, the heatwave is causing significant concern. Spain is enduring its first official summer heatwave, with the national weather agency AEMET warning of high health risks. Portugal is experiencing temperatures up to 37 degrees Celsius due to hot air masses from North Africa. Italy has seen regional temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius, up to ten degrees above average, with experts predicting this pattern to continue for at least another week to ten days.

France is also heavily impacted, with temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius. The highest warning level was issued for many regions, including Paris. As a precautionary measure, some schools will be closed, according to French Education Minister Édouard Geffray. The United Kingdom might also break its June temperature record, with forecasts predicting up to 38 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday, potentially surpassing the current record of 35.6 degrees Celsius set in 1976. Tropical nights, where temperatures do not drop below 20 degrees Celsius, are also anticipated.