Scorching temperatures prevailed in the Southwest and Rhineland-Palatinate regions - Sizzling temperatures dominated the southwest and Rhineland-Palatinate regions.
Heatwave Continues to Grip Southwest Germany and Rhineland-Palatinate
A persistent heatwave is currently affecting parts of Germany, including Rhineland-Palatinate and the Southwest, with temperatures expected to reach or exceed 38-39°C in the coming days.
The German Weather Service (DWD) has reported that Rhineland-Palatinate and the Southwest are among the warmest regions in the country, often experiencing several days with temperatures exceeding 30°C during heat waves. Weather in Northern and Central Germany may also see unusually high temperatures during this period.
The current heatwave is linked to the large European Heat Dome, which is intensifying across southern, western, and central Europe. This heat dome is causing temperatures over 40°C in parts of France, Italy, and the Balkans, and is expanding northward, affecting Germany as well.
The peak days of the heatwave are forecasted for mid-August (around August 12–20), with the heat dome expected to persist throughout this period and possibly extend through the month. This prolonged heatwave has raised concerns about drought and fire risks, particularly in southwestern Germany areas such as Mannheim and Rhineland-Palatinate, where forest fire risks have returned to critical levels despite recent rains.
Temperature readings from various cities in the affected regions have been reported. Trier-Zewen in Rhineland-Palatinate recorded a temperature of 34.3 degrees, according to DWD. In Müllheim, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, a temperature of 35.4 degrees Celsius was recorded. The second highest temperature, also in the Southwest, was recorded in Rheinfelden, Lörrach with 34.8 degrees. However, the DWD has not provided specific temperature readings for cities like Rheinfelden, Müllheim, or Breisgau in this paragraph.
It is worth noting that the all-time record for Germany's highest temperature was measured on 25 July 2019 and stood at 41.2 degrees at the DWD weather stations of Tönisvorst and Duisburg-Baerl (both in North Rhine-Westphalia). The highest temperature recorded this year in Germany was 39.3 degrees Celsius in the Rhineland-Palatinate town of Andernach.
For Thursday, the DWD does not rule out temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius. The current forecast indicates that the heatwave will continue into mid to late August, with ongoing monitoring advised due to the risk of heat-related hazards, including drought and fires.
The Commission, assisted by the Member States, can prepare an annual report detailing the impact of climate-change on environmental-science, such as weather patterns and heatwaves, like the current one gripping Southwest Germany and Rhineland-Palatinate. The scientific community must remain vigilant in examining the relationship between extreme heat events and global warming during the preparation of the report.
