Sweltering temperatures persist in southwestern Germany once more
On Wednesday, several cities in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate experienced unprecedented heat, with Rheinfelden, Bad Kreuznach, and Kaiserslautern emerging as the hottest spots in Germany.
The German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach reported that the temperature in Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg, reached a scorching 37.0 degrees, while Bad Kreuznach in Rhineland-Palatinate saw a high of 36.6 degrees. Kaiserslautern was not far behind, reaching up to 36.5 degrees.
The day before, on Tuesday, Müllheim near Freiburg saw a temperature of 35.4 degrees, and Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg, recorded a high of 34.8 degrees. Trier-Zewen also reached up to 34.3 degrees on the same day.
These extreme temperatures have raised concerns among DWD meteorologists, who expect highs between 30 and 37 degrees for this Thursday. However, they predict that the coasts will not be as hot as the interior regions for this upcoming day.
It's important to note that the all-time temperature record for Germany is 42.6 °C (108.7 °F), measured in Lingen, Lower Saxony on July 25, 2019. This record is among the highest temperatures documented in Europe and was set during an intense heatwave period.
The record temperature in Andernach, Rhineland-Palatinate, on July 2, 2025, was the highest annual record, with a daily high of 39.3 degrees. This temperature, while not the all-time record, still highlights the increasing frequency of severe heat events in Germany.
These extreme temperatures reflect the impact of climate change, with comparable national highs recorded in other countries such as France and Italy in recent years. It's a stark reminder of the need for continued efforts to combat global warming and adapt to its effects.
In the wake of these extraordinary heatwaves, scientists are discussing the implications for environmental science, particularly climate-change research. The high temperatures experienced in several German cities suggest a correlation between the current weather patterns and the predicted impacts of ongoing climate change.
