In the heart of Saxony, get ready for sweltering heat and endless sunshine, with only a negligible chance of showers and thunderstorms. The German Weather Service (DWD) predicts temperatures fluctuating between 32.2°C (90°F) and 36.1°C (97°F). The mercury might even climb as high as 30.6°C (88°F) in the mountains. During the afternoon, the DWD warns of a slight possibility of rainstorms to the east of the Spree and between Saxon Switzerland and the Ore Mountains. These storms could lead to heavy downpours of around 5.5 liters per square meter in a short time span.
As Thursday night turns into Friday morning, expect a partly cloudy sky, with temperatures dipping as low as 16.1°C (61°F).
Temperature peaks hit 29.4°C (86°F) on Friday, while mountains keep cool with 26.6°C (81°F). The sky will dance between sunshine and fluffy clouds, generally staying dry.
Dresden city residents may miss out on the full brunt of the heatwave, as the peak temperatures there won't surpass 29.4°C (86°F) on Friday. However, Dresden's rich historical sites and charms can provide a welcome escape from the eastward thunderstorms predicted by DWD, which could bring heavy rain to areas near Saxon Switzerland and the Ore Mountains.
Further Reading:
Enrichment Insights:
- Temperature:
- Extreme heat can be expected across western and central Europe, with temperatures potentially exceeding 40°C (104°F) in parts of the continent due to a plume of dry, hot air from Africa.
- Precipitation:
- Most heat waves do not bring much precipitation—in fact, summer 2018 in Germany experienced a severe drought.
- Thunderstorms:
- Thunderstorms are not typically associated with heat waves but can occur during the warm season.
Local Consequences in Saxony:
- Speed Limit Adjustments: Authorities in Saxony-Anhalt imposed temporary speed limits on the autobahn to avoid heat damage.
- Transport Disruptions: Deutsche Bahn called for emergency services at Duesseldorf Airport station due to issues with air conditioning on two trains, though neither required evacuation.
- Regional Measures: Nearby regions introduced measures like banning older cars from cities to reduce pollution, affecting over half of vehicles in Paris.
Overarching Climate Changes:
- Warming Trends: Germany is heating faster than the global average, and spring temperatures in 2024 were 3.1°C (5.6°F) higher than the average for the usual reference period.
