Germany breaks temperature records amid severe heatwave

Germany is grappling with unprecedented heat, shattering temperature records across the country. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) reported that Kubschütz, near Bautzen, registered a nighttime low of 29.4 degrees Celsius, marking the highest recorded nighttime temperature since data collection began.

This new record surpasses the previous high of 27.2 degrees Celsius, which was set on Weinbiet Mountain in Rhineland-Palatinate. As of 8:00 AM, temperatures in some measurement stations had already exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. Forecasters anticipate that temperatures in eastern Germany will surpass 40 degrees Celsius today, with extreme heat expected in many regions.

German media reports indicate that Möckern-Drewitz in the state of Saxony-Anhalt recorded 41.5 degrees Celsius yesterday, potentially setting a new national record. Saarbrücken-Burbach in Saarland also registered 41.3 degrees Celsius. The DWD stated that data from the measurement stations is being re-verified, and a confirmation of the record will be announced after the weekend.

The extreme heat has also fueled forest fires. Fires erupted in the Gohrischheide forest area between Saxony and Brandenburg, and in Traisen, Rhineland-Palatinate. In Gohrischheide, approximately 16 hectares burned, with efforts by around 200 firefighters and two helicopters hampered by the risk of explosions from unexploded ordnance in the former military training zone. Similar ordnance issues complicated firefighting efforts in Traisen, leading to a temporary halt in operations. In Leipzig, tram services were suspended until tomorrow morning due to track damage caused by the high temperatures.