Sizzling Heat in Essen City Centre: Temperatures Skyrocket
In the heart of Essen, Germany, the ongoing heatwave has been referred to as "high summer in full force." The city center's temperature peaked at 31 degrees at 1 pm, feeling even warmer under the sun with no clouds and little breeze. However, measurements taken in various hot spots around the city revealed temperatures far higher than those reported by weather apps.
The black stone steps leading down to Burgplatz, for instance, showed a noticeable increase in temperature. A standard household thermometer placed on the steps for ten minutes revealed a reading of 45.3 degrees. Similarly, in the Green Center's playground, measurements showed a temperature at least ten degrees higher than the weather app indicated. The tunnel slide and the small children's slide, both made of metal, were too hot to touch from the outside, with a thermometer reading of 46.7 degrees on the metal.
The children's playground in the Green Center, located in the university quarter, has limited shade at midday. This lack of shade, coupled with the extensive use of metal in the play equipment, makes it a hot spot during the heatwave. In fact, the thermometer reading at the Green Center's playground was the highest of all the measurements taken, surpassing even the temperature recorded at the main station in Essen's city center, where some spots reached 43 degrees.
The forecast for Essen this week includes several days above 30 degrees, with a predicted high of 33 degrees on August 13th. On this day, up to eleven hours of sunshine are expected, which could exacerbate the urban heat island effect and further increase localized temperatures.
This phenomenon, where localized temperatures in urban centers are higher than the general temperature indicated by weather apps, is not unique to Essen. During the 2025 heatwave, maximum temperatures recorded in the hottest spots of Essen's city center exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, consistent with temperatures recorded in several parts of Europe. Weather apps generally report lower temperatures, as they rely on official stations, which may not capture urban heat islands where temperatures can be higher.
In conclusion, during the current heatwave, the hottest spots in Essen’s city center likely exceeded 40°C, surpassing the temperatures reported by weather apps. This difference arises due to localized urban heat effects adding several degrees Celsius beyond the official readings presented in weather forecasts. It is advised to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and to take necessary precautions to stay cool and hydrated during these hot summer days.
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