Extreme Heat: Temperatures to Peak at 40°C, Relief Arrives by Thursday - Scorching temperatures anticipated at 40 degrees, relief expected from Thursday.
Germany is gearing up for a scorching midweek as a heatwave sweeps across central Europe, bringing temperatures soaring into the high 30s Celsius.
On Wednesday, the heat dome is expected to expand, pushing temperatures in western, northern, and central parts of the country to the mid to upper 30s. The northeast of Germany is predicted to reach peak temperatures of 38-39 °C, with some areas in southern Benelux potentially hitting around 40 °C.
The heatwave, described as the most intense of the year so far, will see temperatures significantly above normal by about 12-14 °C in the lower atmosphere.
By Thursday, a colder maritime air mass from the Bay of Biscay is expected to move into northern Iberia and France, creating a sharp temperature contrast in the region. This contrast raises the potential for severe weather, including heavy thunderstorms, especially where hot and cold air masses meet.
Individual heat thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon and late evening on Tuesday, with temperatures ranging from 30 to 38 degrees. On Thursday, the west and southwest of Germany will experience extreme heat stress, while the northwest and parts of the north will be dry and sunny.
The Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD), Germany's national weather service, has warned people to be particularly vigilant, especially in Baden-Württemberg, Mittelfranken, Schwaben, and western Bavaria, where these thunderstorms may occur. They advise drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding the heat in the afternoon and evening hours if possible, and keeping apartments cool by ventilating only at night and in the morning hours, and keeping windows and blinds closed during the day.
The DWD also warns that these thunderstorms may bring heavy rain, hail, and strong gusts of wind. Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather updates for any warnings related to thunderstorms or severe weather through Wednesday and Thursday.
It is worth noting that while this year's heatwave has been intense, it has not yet reached the record temperatures of 41.2 degrees, measured on July 25, 2019, at the DWD weather stations in Toenisvorst and Duisburg-Baerl (both in North Rhine-Westphalia).
Residents are urged to stay safe and take necessary precautions during this period of extreme heat and potential severe weather conditions.
In light of the approaching heatwave, community leaders in Germany might consider implementing a temporary community policy to ensure public safety. Additionally, for those seeking employment opportunities, vocational training centers could offer specialized courses on weather-forecasting to capitalize on the demand for meteorological specialists during extreme weather events.
