Preliminary data from the German Meteorological Service (DWD) revealed that Germany recorded 41.3 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature ever recorded across the country. This impressive figure surpasses the previous record for the month of June.
This Tuesday, Germany set a new level for its maximum temperatures. According to initial information from DWD, the measurement of 41.3 degrees Celsius was made in the late afternoon at a station located in Saarbrücken-Burbach, marking the highest level ever achieved nationally. This reading exceeds the highest temperature previously recorded for the month of June in the same location.
The old heat record in Germany was 41.2 degrees Celsius, recorded on July 25, 2019 in the cities of Tönisvorst and Duisburg-Baerl, both in North Rhine-Westphalia. As the count in Saarbrücken was carried out at 5pm, there is a possibility that the temperature increased further throughout the day.
According to the meteorological service, other regions also faced intense heat: Bad Kreuznach in Rhineland-Palatinate and Kitzingen in Bavaria both recorded 40.7 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. These numbers, while impactful, are preliminary and may be adjusted later.
Historic milestone: thermometers exceed 40°C for the first time in June
For the first time in history, temperatures in Germany surpassed the 40 degree Celsius mark in June. This fact highlights the intensity of the current heat wave.
The country has been immersed in a historic heat wave, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Celsius for days. The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued extreme heat warnings for almost all regions. The situation worsens because the nights do not provide significant relief, maintaining the feeling of heat. Extreme weather phenomena, like this one, have become more frequent due to the global climate crisis, and the tendency is for them to increase even more. Data from the meteorological service confirm an increase in the average number of days with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius in Germany in recent years.
There is no forecast of improvement for the weekend. On Saturday, temperatures are expected to be between 36 and 41 degrees Celsius, with some areas reaching up to 42 degrees. Even at night, thermometers should only drop slightly in certain places. In the early hours of Sunday, there is a chance of isolated storms, with the potential for severe weather, in the northwest and northern regions of the country. Minimum temperatures should be between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius.
For Sunday, storms, strong gusts of wind, hail and heavy rain are expected. The heatwave is expected to move slightly eastward, with temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius in the Lausitz region, and varying between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius in the east and southeast. In the rest of Germany, values should be between 32 and 38 degrees Celsius.
A relief in high temperatures is expected for Monday. According to the meteorological service, the weather will not be so hot, with maximum temperatures between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius, reaching 30 degrees Celsius in some specific areas.