Germany's heatwave peaks Friday as drought crisis deepens across regions
A dry and warming trend is set to dominate the weather this week. Temperatures will climb steadily, peaking on Friday with highs in the 80s. Meanwhile, the ongoing drought across much of Germany shows no signs of relief, raising concerns for agriculture and water supplies.
Today's highs will sit in the mid to upper 60s, close to seasonal averages for late March. Overnight lows will remain mild, generally in the mid to upper 50s. By Thursday, afternoon temperatures will rise into the low 80s for most areas.
Friday will be the warmest day, with highs surging well into the 80s across the region. A moisture-starved cold front will pass through late that day, bringing little to no rain. Behind the front, temperatures will drop back closer to normal for the weekend. The lack of rainfall comes as Germany faces persistent drought conditions. Winter 2025/26 delivered only 71% of average precipitation, leaving topsoil dry in eastern states, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and parts of Bavaria. Deeper soil layers (up to 1.8 metres) remain parched in most regions, except for southwest Baden-Württemberg and parts of Schleswig-Holstein. Oxygen deficiency in topsoil and deep-layer stress in Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia add to the strain. Agriculture is already feeling the impact, with crops and soils suffering from water deficits. Groundwater reserves in over 30 districts, including Rhein-Neckar-Kreis and Heidenheim, are under pressure due to high drinking water demand. Ecosystems are also struggling, as prolonged dryness worsens soil conditions and intensifies climate extremes. With no meaningful rain expected through late next week, the drought is likely to deepen. An especially dry air mass moving in over the weekend could also raise fire weather risks.
The coming days will bring unusually warm weather, with Friday standing out as the hottest. However, the absence of rain will do little to ease the ongoing drought. Farmers, water managers, and conservationists will be watching closely for any signs of spring rainfall to replenish soil moisture and groundwater supplies.
