Germany experienced its hottest June day on record on Friday afternoon. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), Saarbrücken recorded 41.1°C, the highest June temperature ever measured in the country. Other weather stations also surpassed the previous June record of 39.6°C, set in 2019 in Bernburg in Saxony-Anhalt. Bad Kreuznach reached 40.7°C and Trier hit 40.1°C. In total, 147 weather stations logged new local June records.
Temperatures were forecast to climb further on Saturday, with up to 42°C possible in some areas. Only the far north of Germany was expected to remain somewhat cooler. The prolonged heat is increasing health risks, prompting warnings from medical professionals and authorities. Particularly problematic are tropical nights, during which temperatures do not drop below 20°C.
Saturday also brought the threat of isolated powerful thunderstorms, including severe weather, stretching from the western uplands through North Rhine-Westphalia into Lower Saxony. On Sunday night, further storms with the potential for severe weather were expected in the northwest and north. By Sunday, the risk of extreme weather, including heavy rain, hail, and gusts, was forecast to increase more broadly, even as high temperatures continued.
The ongoing heatwave is threatening fish populations in the Moselle river. The Rhineland-Palatinate Environment Ministry reported that oxygen levels in the water near Palzern on the Upper Moselle had already fallen below the critical threshold for fish. Water temperatures in the Rhine and Moselle have now exceeded 27°C, with the Saar expected to reach that mark over the weekend.
The state activated the second warning level of a four-tier action and information framework for high water temperatures, which also provides for restrictions on companies that discharge water into rivers.
Several cities called off planned events in response to the extreme heat. Cologne cancelled a children's and family festival scheduled for Sunday in Rheinpark, which had been due to include several hours of programming with stage performances and activity courses. Cottbus also called off its planned Spree Concert on Sunday, an event that would have been its debut, citing temperature forecasts of up to 43°C.
In Leipzig, the Opera cancelled the premiere of the children's musical Pit und Paula – frisch versalzen on Saturday. "A performance by the children's and youth choir would not have been justifiable," the Opera stated. The city of Hanau in Hesse cancelled all municipal events for the entire weekend.
Munich, by contrast, went ahead with its Christopher Street Day parade on Saturday. Organisers advised visitors that it would be "hot and crowded" and urged them to use sunscreen with SPF 50, drink water regularly, and wear a hat. Drinking water stations and water-spray points were also set up.
Large parts of Europe are suffering under the current heatwave. Exceptionally high temperatures are also being recorded in countries such as Spain, France, and Italy. The French government is concerned about fatalities. "We are worried about deaths across the country at home," the health ministry said.
No figures were immediately available. The current heatwave has already exceeded the scale and intensity of a 2003 heatwave that caused 15,000 deaths in France. In Spain, more than 200 people have already died due to the extreme temperatures.
The DWD expects the heatwave to last until the start of next week. With an anticipated duration of around twelve days, it would be one of the longest periods of heat warnings since the DWD introduced its heat warning system in 2005.
Scientists have linked the intensity of the current European heatwave to climate change. "Climate change is clearly responsible," concluded a study published on Friday by the international research group World Weather Attribution (WWA).
The natural warming phase caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon, the researchers found, plays "no role in amplifying the heat." The extreme temperatures seen during the day and at night would have been "practically impossible" at this time of year fifty years ago, the researchers stated.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
