Heatwave continues in Germany, with thunderstorms threatening earlier

Germany is set to experience another extreme heatwave this weekend, with the German Weather Service (DWD) predicting temperatures to soar as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in some regions, particularly North Rhine-Westphalia. The intense heat is expected to persist through Sunday, creating uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions.

Adding to the heat, the DWD forecasts that severe thunderstorms could arrive as early as Friday evening and continue intermittently through Sunday. These storms carry the potential for significant hazards, including heavy rainfall, destructive wind gusts, and hail. Saturday, in particular, is identified as having a high risk of severe weather, with the possibility of hurricane-force wind gusts reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph), extremely heavy downpours of 40 to 50 liters per square meter in a short period, and large hailstones.

The night leading into Saturday is expected to be tropical, with temperatures remaining between 20 to 26 degrees Celsius (68 to 79 Fahrenheit). While the heat and storm risks are high for Friday and Saturday, Sunday is also predicted to see continued thunderstorms with heavy rain, strong winds, and hail, though temperatures may slightly decrease to between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius (86 to 95 Fahrenheit).

Relief from the extreme heat is anticipated starting Monday, when temperatures are forecast to drop to a more manageable range of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius (77 to 82 Fahrenheit). Until then, residents are advised to take precautions against the heat and potential severe weather events.