Heatwave in North Rhine-Westphalia to be broken by thunderstorms and temperature drop

North Rhine-Westphalia is bracing for a dramatic shift in weather as a severe heatwave is set to give way to heavy thunderstorms and a sharp temperature decline. The German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts temperatures climbing to a sweltering 32 to 37 degrees Celsius by midday on Friday, fueled by abundant sunshine.

However, the respite from the heat will be short-lived. By early afternoon, the weather is expected to turn volatile as showers and thunderstorms roll in from the west. These storms carry the threat of torrential rain and severe gale-force winds, with the DWD warning of potentially dangerous or even extremely dangerous weather events. The exact timing, location, and intensity of these storms remain uncertain.

Following the turbulent weather, temperatures are predicted to plummet to between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius. The showers are expected to move eastward overnight, bringing further cooling. The outlook for the weekend suggests a return to more pleasant conditions, with Friday seeing highs of 27 to 31 degrees Celsius but still carrying the risk of strong storms. Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be drier and warmer, with temperatures ranging from 21 to 27 degrees Celsius on Saturday and increasing slightly on Sunday.