Bavaria experiences significant heatwave on Friday
Germany has been grappling with a significant heatwave for the past few weeks, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius in some regions. This extreme heat, particularly intense in the west and southwest, began around mid-August and has brought intense heat combined with humidity, making it feel even hotter, close to 40–42 °C.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the heatwave has now subsided, and relief is on the horizon. Cooler air and an increased chance of widespread thunderstorms are forecast to arrive by Friday, providing a much-needed break from the high temperatures and heat stress.
The current weather in Germany is still warm, with daytime temperatures mostly between 28–32 °C. Nights are also warmer, typically 14–18 °C. On Friday, the highest temperatures of the day were recorded, with Huy-Pabstorf, Saxony-Anhalt reaching 37.0°C, Kitzingen near Würzburg recording 37.1°C, and Bad Königshofen measuring 36.2°C. These temperatures are the highest recorded for the day.
The high-pressure system named "Julia" has been pushing hot Sahara air into Germany, causing the extreme temperatures and adding dust haze on some days. However, this system is expected to move out, allowing cooler air to move in and bring some respite from the heat.
It's worth noting that the all-time temperature record for Germany is 41.2°C, recorded on July 25, 2019, at the DWD weather stations in Tönisvorst and Duisburg-Baerl (both in North Rhine-Westphalia). As of now, the highest temperature recorded during this heatwave was 39.3°C in Andernach, Rhineland-Palatinate, on July 2, 2025.
Rain and thunderstorms were reported in some areas, such as Aspach northeast of Stuttgart, but no significant damage from the rainfall has been reported so far.
The heatwave should ease soon, within a few days after August 25, 2025, offering much-needed relief to the German population. The DWD will continue to monitor the weather situation closely and provide updates as necessary.
The German Weather Service (DWD) is forecasting an arrival of cooler air by Friday, potentially bringing relief from the current heatwave in Germany, where daytime temperatures still linger between 28–32 °C. Weather-forecasting predicts an increased chance of widespread thunderstorms, possibly helping in the weather improvement across the country.
