Germany braces for peak heatwave with temperatures up to 39C, severe thunderstorms loom

Germany is bracing for the peak of its current heatwave, with the German Weather Service (DWD) forecasting temperatures to soar as high as 39 degrees Celsius on Friday. Official warnings for extreme heat have been issued across nearly the entire country, highlighting the significant health risks, particularly for the elderly and those requiring care.

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The heat will extremely burden old and care-dependent people.

The DWD strongly advises residents to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat, ensure adequate hydration, and maintain cool indoor environments. This intense heat is expected to be followed by a brief period of cooling.

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Avoid the heat if possible, drink enough water, and keep interiors cool.

Compounding the heat, severe thunderstorms are anticipated to strike several regions, including Hesse, Thuringia, Lower Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt, from the afternoon onwards. These storms could bring gale-force winds and, in some northern areas, even hurricane-force gusts. Meteorologists caution that such winds pose a danger, capable of uprooting trees and turning large objects into projectiles.

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Trees can be uprooted and large objects can fly around.