Danger of intense heat forewarned for the northern regions - Northern regions brace for intense heatwave
As North Germany braces for an extreme heat event, the German Weather Service (DWD) has issued heat warnings for Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. However, due to the influence of wind and humidity, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern does not currently have an extreme heat warning.
Regions affected by the heat warnings include Ratzeburg, Pinneberg, Bad Oldesloe, Lauenburg, Bad Segeberg, Lübeck, Neumünster, and Plön in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as well as various regions in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg.
The DWD's heat warnings are based on a combination of measured and perceived temperatures. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the warnings are based on perceived temperatures due to the wind and humidity affecting the perceived temperatures. As a result, the heat warnings in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are not as high as in Hamburg and several regions in Schleswig-Holstein.
According to the DWD, temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius are expected on Helgoland, 33 degrees in Kiel, 35 degrees in Hamburg, and 37 degrees in Schwerin on Wednesday. In contrast, temperatures along the west German North Sea coast are not expected to rise high enough to warrant a heat warning.
The DWD is using a variety of weather data to issue heat warnings in different regions of Germany. The meteorologist spoke to the German Press Agency about the difference in heat warnings between Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and other regions, explaining that less wind and more humidity can make the temperature feel higher.
During such extreme heat events, health authorities do not issue region-specific recommendations but generally follow health advice endorsed by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) for similar extreme heat warnings in Germany and across Europe.
Key recommendations for affected populations include avoiding outdoor activities during peak temperatures, keeping homes cool, staying hydrated, wearing appropriate clothing, protecting the most vulnerable, and looking out for warning signs of heat exhaustion. These recommendations are universal across the affected regions in North Germany and align with the general German and European health advice for extreme heat events.
In the rest of Schleswig-Holstein and all of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, only a heat warning is in effect. However, the heat warnings in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern may still be raised if conditions change to reflect higher perceived temperatures. The heat warnings have been issued via warning apps to the population, allowing them to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
Stay safe and follow the advice of health authorities during this extreme heat event to avoid heat-related illnesses.
- The environmental-science department of various community policies might need to address the impact of extreme heat events on public health, given the current heat warnings in North Germany.
- In the context of the ongoing heat event, science plays a crucial role in predicting and understanding weather patterns, which helps authorities to issue accurate heat warnings and provide suitable safety measures.
