Heatwave across Germany gives way to thunderstorms and sharp cooling

Heatwave peaks across Germany

Saturday brought the culmination of a summer heatwave across much of Germany, with the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) issuing heat warnings for nearly all cities and districts in North Rhine-Westphalia. Temperatures reached up to 38°C in Saxony, up to 37°C in Berlin and Brandenburg, between 33 and 38°C in Hessen, and up to 34°C in Lower Saxony. On the North Sea islands, thermometers showed values up to 21°C. The DWD and Berlin's Reinickendorf district office cautioned that the heat could cause circulatory problems and physical discomfort, and in the worst case become life-threatening. Health councillor Uwe Brockhausen (SPD) and medical officer Patrick Larscheid advised avoiding direct sunlight and outdoor activities during the hottest afternoon hours.

Cold front brings thunderstorms

From Saturday afternoon, a cold front sweeping in from the northwest was expected to bring isolated showers and thunderstorms, particularly in mountainous areas and the southern halves of several states. The DWD indicated that storm gusts and heavy rain could not be ruled out. In Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarland, thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and evening had the potential to bring heavy rain, hail, and storm gusts, with temperatures rising to 30 to 38°C beforehand. In Lower Saxony, the thunderstorm risk increased through the day, especially in the southern part of the state. In the Prignitz region of Brandenburg, light showers and thunderstorms were possible by Saturday evening, with rain spreading to the rest of the state overnight into Sunday.

Sunday marks a sharp drop

Sunday brought a pronounced cooling across the country. In Saxony, temperatures were forecast to drop to a maximum of 24 to 26°C, with 21 to 24°C in the mountains, down from up to 38°C the day before. North Rhine-Westphalia expected 24 to 28°C, while Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein ranged from 21 to 24°C. In Lower Saxony, highs reached at most 25°C in the south and 20°C on the islands. Hessen saw a range from 24°C in the north to 32°C in the south, and Rhineland-Palatinate from 24°C in the Eifel to 33°C in the Südpfalz. Showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain and gusty winds continued into Sunday morning in several regions before clearing from the northwest through the day.

Week starts cool and unsettled

The start of the new week brought further cooling. Monday was expected to see highs between 20 and 25°C across most regions, with clouds and intermittent light rain. In NRW, overnight temperatures could fall to 12°C. Tuesday remained similarly cool at 20 to 25°C, with clouds, moderate to strong gusty winds, and occasional rain. The 30-degree mark was no longer expected to be reached in Rhineland-Palatinate, the Saarland, or Hessen, where highs of 21 to 27°C were forecast for Monday.

Outlook and river levels

Tim Staeger of the ARD-Wetterkompetenzzentrum told NDR Niedersachsen that this was likely the last truly intense heatwave of the season. While temperatures above 30°C remained possible into September, he rated the probability of renewed 35°C or higher readings as unlikely. Meanwhile, water levels on the Rhine remained at historically low levels, according to RP Online.