Berlin and Brandenburg brace for dangerous heatwave as officials warn of 35°C temperatures, storms, and forest fire risks
Temperatures are set to reach 35°C across Berlin and Brandenburg this weekend as authorities issue severe heat and thunderstorm warnings, urging caution for vulnerable groups.
The hot and humid air mass over eastern Germany will push temperatures in Berlin and Brandenburg to 35°C on Saturday, while the German Weather Service (DWD) warns of severe thunderstorms with heavy rain up to 40 litres per square metre and hail. On Friday, heavy showers had already caused flooding and power outages in Neuruppin, and an official severe weather warning remained active for parts of the Uckermark into the afternoon. The storms are forecast to clear by Sunday night.
- Storms cause flooding and power outages in Neuruppin, heavy rain in Uckermark.
- DWD issues extreme heat warning (up to 35°C) and severe thunderstorm alert with hail and 40L/m² rain.
- Forecast: storms clear by Sunday night, heat persists.
Health risks and officials' warnings
The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has issued an extreme heat alert for Saturday. The DWD expects temperatures above 30°C throughout the weekend, with the densest parts of Berlin staying hot at night. Hospitals are preparing for heat-related admissions; the central emergency department at Uniklinikum Cottbus anticipates patients with circulatory collapse, dizziness and headaches.
We recommend light foods, water-rich fruits and vegetables, sufficient fluids, and several small meals spread throughout the day. Exercise only in moderation and in the early morning or late evening hours.
Berlin's health authority (Lageso) advises drinking plenty of water, avoiding physical exertion, shifting outdoor activities to cooler morning or evening hours, shading homes during the day, and ventilating at night.
Protecting the homeless
Around 53,600 homeless people were recorded in Berlin in January 2025, part of a nationwide rise of 8% to almost 475,000 people in emergency accommodation. For those living on the streets, the combination of intense sun and lack of shelter and drinking water is life-threatening.
The lack of places to retreat, insufficient access to drinking water, and the constant strain of the heat significantly increase the risk of dehydration and circulatory problems.
The senator called on Berliners to watch for people sitting unprotected in the sun and appearing helpless, and to call an ambulance if needed. The city’s heat aid programme, funded with 370,000 euros this season (70,000 euros more than in 2025), provides shelters, drinks, food, showers, counselling, and medical first aid through mobile teams across the city until the end of August.
Cooling measures and public life
Public swimming pools expect large crowds and advise buying tickets online; entrances may be closed when capacity is reached. Parks, lakeside areas and ice cream parlours are also likely to be very busy. Some venues are adding cooling installations: the Berliner Ensemble theatre set up a mist shower in its courtyard, and the Mauerpark now has a misting system that sprays about one litre of water from 32 nozzles in 45 seconds.
For the ice cube producer Iceman, the heat means overtime. Managing director Jan Püschel said his team is producing and delivering tonnes of ice, and the storage hall with a temperature of minus 12°C is one of the coolest spots in the city.
Forest fire danger
Persistent dry weather has driven forest fire risk in Brandenburg to high levels, and the DWD expects it to rise further over the weekend. The region experienced a large forest fire on ammunition-contaminated land near Jüterbog in May, and authorities are on alert as the heat persists.
