Northern Germany braces for 38C heatwave and thunderstorms

Northern Germany is set to experience the peak of a significant heatwave this weekend, with the German Weather Service (DWD) warning of rising, and at times extreme, heat stress.

Temperatures are predicted to climb to around 31 degrees Celsius on the North Sea islands and 36 degrees in Hamburg on Friday. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will see similar highs. The Baltic Sea coast will offer some respite with sea breezes keeping temperatures between 26 and 30 degrees. Nights will remain warm, with lows between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius.

Saturday will bring a shift as clouds gather over Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. The heat will intensify, reaching 30 to 38 degrees Celsius, with overnight temperatures staying around 25 degrees. From Saturday afternoon onwards, away from the North Sea coast, the weather will turn stormy with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail. Winds could reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will start Saturday sunny and hot, but thunderstorms with heavy rain, storms, and hail are possible by evening. These heat-generated storms, accompanied by gusty winds, may continue into Sunday and Monday night, with temperatures remaining high between 28 and 38 degrees Celsius. Nights will be cooler, ranging from 17 to 22 degrees.

Relief is anticipated on Monday as temperatures decrease to a more summery 22 to 26 degrees in Schleswig-Holstein and 26 to 29 degrees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. A moderate northwesterly wind will blow across northern Germany, and nighttime temperatures could drop to a refreshing 10 to 18 degrees.