Germany faces continued heatwave with risk of severe storms

Germany is bracing for another hot weekend as the current heatwave shows no signs of abating. The German Weather Service (DWD) predicts temperatures soaring between 30 and 38 degrees Celsius on Saturday, with the highest readings anticipated in the southwest.

While these temperatures are exceptionally high, they have not yet surpassed previous records. The DWD noted that the all-time highest temperature recorded in Germany was 41.2 degrees Celsius in July 2019. However, the service warns that current conditions could still lead to even higher readings this weekend.

Alongside the heat, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms in some areas. These storms have already caused localized disruptions, including temporary halts at music festivals like Southside in Baden-Württemberg. Despite the potential for severe weather, outdoor public viewing events for the Germany vs. Ivory Coast World Cup match are not expected to be affected by thunderstorms.

The DWD forecasts highs between 30 and 39 degrees Celsius for Sunday, the longest day of the year and the calendar start of summer. Experts emphasize that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, posing significant health risks, particularly to the elderly, children, pregnant individuals, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.