Sizzling Heatwave Continues in Southwestern Germany
Record-Breaking Heatwaves Sweep Southwestern Germany
Southwestern Germany has been experiencing a series of record-breaking high temperatures as part of the 2025 European heatwaves. The region has seen temperatures soaring up to around 39°C (102.2°F) and approaching 40°C, with the western parts of Germany not far behind [1][2].
These extreme heat events have been associated with a recurring Heat Dome over Europe, which causes exceptionally high temperatures and drought conditions [2]. Historically, Germany’s highest temperatures during summer 2025 reached up to 39.3°C in Andernach on July 2, signaling one of the hottest days recorded that year in regions near southwestern Germany [1].
Looking forward, mid-August 2025 forecasts predict temperatures in western Germany, including the southwest, to remain in the upper 30s Celsius, near or just reaching 40°C, with heatwave conditions persisting due to the expanding Heat Dome pattern [2].
The high temperatures have been recorded in various cities across Germany. On Wednesday, Rheinfelden reached 37.0°C, Müllheim near Freiburg had a temperature of 35.4°C, and Kaiserslautern recorded a temperature of 36.5°C [1]. The second-highest temperature on Wednesday was recorded in Bad Kreuznach, Germany at 36.6°C. However, the temperatures predicted for Thursday are lower than the all-time and current annual records [3].
The ongoing heatwaves have significant consequences beyond human discomfort. Drought conditions across Europe, including southwestern Germany, increase the risk of wildfires, as seen in neighboring southern European countries battling extreme heat and fires simultaneously [2][3]. These disturbances reflect a broader climate trend of more frequent and severe heatwaves affecting central and southwestern Europe.
It is important to note that the measurements reported by the German Weather Service (DWD) are provisional [3]. The all-time temperature record for Germany is 41.2°C, measured on July 25, 2019, at the DWD weather stations in Tönisvorst and Duisburg-Baerl, both in North Rhine-Westphalia [4].
In summary, record highs near 39-40°C occurred recently in southwestern Germany in 2025 as part of a major heatwave event [1][2]. Future projections forecast continued very high temperatures in that region through August 2025 with worsening drought conditions [2]. These extremes are part of a larger pattern of intensifying heatwaves and climate impacts on Europe, consistent with climate change trends [3][4].
References:
[1] Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD). (2025). Heatwave hits Southwestern Germany. Retrieved from https://www.dwd.de/DE/Home/homepage/index.html
[2] European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). (2025). Heat Dome over Europe causing extreme temperatures. Retrieved from https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/bulletin
[3] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report/
[4] Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD). (2019). All-time temperature record in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.dwd.de/EN/climate/records/hottest_days/hottest_days.html
The current weather conditions in southwestern Germany are a result of record-breaking heatwaves, with temperatures soaring near 39-40°C and forecast to remain in the upper 30s Celsius through August 2025 [1][2]. Meticulous weather-forecasting is essential to predict the ongoing extreme heat events and assess the risks associated with these weather conditions, such as increased wildfire risks [2].
