Germany is heading into several days of intense heat, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) announced on Monday from its base in Offenbach. Temperatures are set to climb well above 30°C across most of the country throughout the week, reaching up to 39°C in the west and south, and locally up to 40°C by Thursday. The southwest was already experiencing "strong, locally extreme heat stress" on Monday.
From the start of the week, temperatures of 30 to 37°C were expected, with the north and east staying cooler at 23 to 30°C. On Tuesday, mostly sunny conditions are forecast, with the north seeing 24 to 30°C and the southwest reaching up to 37°C. Wednesday will see temperatures climb to 27 to 34°C in the north and 32 to 39°C elsewhere. Thursday is set to be the most extreme day, with the west and southwest reaching 35°C and locally up to 40°C.
The heat across the south and southeast is expected to be accompanied by heavy localised showers and thunderstorms. Both Monday and Thursday carry a risk of dangerous weather events, including heavy rain and hail.
Weather warnings issued by the DWD and distributed to numerous cities and municipalities via warning apps urged people to "avoid the heat where possible, drink plenty of water and keep indoor spaces cool." Particularly dense urban areas are expected to experience additional heat stress, as they barely cool down overnight. Monday marked the fifth consecutive heat warning day.
Forest fire danger is also rising in the overheated woodlands. According to the DWD's forest fire risk map, much of southern and eastern Germany is expected to reach warning level 4, the second highest, by the end of the week, with some regions hitting the highest level of 5.
The number of fatal swimming accidents continued to rise. Police reported at least five incidents on Monday that occurred over the weekend, with additional accidents leaving people in life-threatening conditions requiring resuscitation.
In Bavaria, two men aged 20 and 22 drowned in the Weitmannsee and Tegnersee lakes respectively, while a 79-year-old woman died in the Baltic Sea near Markgrafenheide. Further fatal swimming accidents were also reported over the weekend at lakes in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, divers carried out a dramatic rescue on Sunday, pulling two teenagers aged 16 and 19 from the Rhein-Herne Canal near Gelsenkirchen. Both were hospitalised with life-threatening injuries. A day earlier, on Saturday, a 16-year-old had died at the same location.
In a further incident at an outdoor swimming pool in Kirchheim, Bavaria, a two-year-old girl was resuscitated on Sunday after being found by a relative in a paddling pool just 45 centimetres deep, into which she had wandered unnoticed. Witnesses and a doctor who happened to be present began resuscitation efforts, and the child regained consciousness before being taken to hospital.
This is already the second heatwave to hit Western Europe within a month. Alongside Germany, several other countries are affected, including France, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Spain. Temperatures are forecast to gradually ease in the coming week.
As Germany faces soaring temperatures this week, it's crucial to take precautions. Read our expert tips on staying safe, hydrated, and cool during the heat wave.
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