Heat dome pushes into Germany, temperatures could reach 40°C by midweek

Heat dome shifts east

A stable high-pressure system, known as a heat dome, has been parked over France, where temperatures reached 43°C over the weekend. The system is now moving into Germany, according to meteorologists at Kachelmannwetter.

“It's only just getting started. The heat will intensify again over the course of the week.”

Temperature forecast

The German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts highs of 37°C on Monday and Tuesday, rising to 39°C on Wednesday. Some weather models, including the European ECMWF, predict up to 40°C in the west and south by Thursday or Friday. The southwest, including Baden-Württemberg, could see the highest readings. The north has been cooler, with 24 to 29°C, but the heat is expected to spread there by midweek. Cooling is not expected until next weekend at the earliest.

Thunderstorms and damage

Alongside the heat, severe thunderstorms have hit parts of Germany. The DWD warned of heavy rain, hail up to three centimeters, and hurricane-force gusts around 100 km/h, particularly in the east. In Brandenburg and Saxony, the highest warning level (level four) was issued for extreme weather with danger to life. Over the weekend, storms downed trees, flooded roads, and caused lightning injuries. A wedding tent in East Frisia was blown onto a barn roof, but none of the 50 guests were hurt. A tree fell on a showman's wagon at a fairground, also without injuries.

Regional impacts

The heatwave is not limited to Germany. The UK Met Office has warned of 36 to 37°C for Monday and Tuesday. In France, temperatures are expected to hit 38°C on Monday, with Bordeaux and Nantes possibly reaching 43°C again. A wildfire on the Greek island of Euboea, the first major blaze of the year, has been extinguished.

Health warnings

The DWD has issued an official heat warning for large parts of the country, urging people to avoid the heat, drink plenty of water, and keep indoor spaces cool. The warning, in effect from Saturday morning to Sunday evening, highlights strong to extreme heat stress. Meteorologist Christian Herold said it remains uncertain whether the southwest will break the 40°C mark, but the risk is present.