Heatwave finale pushes temperatures to 41°C across eastern Germany before storms arrive
Eastern German states brace for a last day of extreme heat on Sunday, with the DWD forecasting up to 41°C before thunderstorms and a sharp cooldown on Monday.
Peak heat on Sunday
The heatwave that has gripped eastern Germany reaches its climax on Sunday, June 28, with the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) forecasting temperatures between 37 and 41 degrees Celsius across Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin-Brandenburg. In the Harz mountains, highs are expected to reach 30 to 37 degrees, while the Saxon Bergland will see 31 to 36 degrees. This marks the final surge of extreme heat before a significant weather change.
Thunderstorm threat
The intense heat will trigger thunderstorms later in the day and into the night to Monday. The DWD warns of localised heavy rainfall, hail, and severe squalls. These thunderstorms are typical for the end of a heatwave and are expected across all three regions, potentially bringing dangerous conditions in isolated areas.
Rapid cooldown Monday
After the peak, temperatures will drop sharply overnight to between 18 and 23 degrees. Monday's highs will only reach 27 to 31 degrees across most areas, with the Harz and Bergland staying cooler at 24 to 27 degrees. Rain and occasional thunderstorms will continue intermittently. By Tuesday, temperatures will remain subdued, with further showers and thunderstorms.
- Temperatures peak at 37–41°C; thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail and severe squalls develop.
- Overnight cooling to 18–23°C.
- Maximum temperatures drop to 27–31°C (24–27°C in higher terrain) with intermittent rain and thunderstorms.
- Further showers and thunderstorms; highs 25–29°C (21–27°C in Bergland/Harz).
Wildfire danger remains high
Persistent drought has left large parts of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt facing high to very high forest fire risk. Saxony's state forestry agency reports very high danger in the districts of Nordsachsen, Meißen, the southern part of Bautzen, and Dresden. Only central Görlitz and the state's southern border areas are rated as medium risk. In Saxony-Anhalt, all counties are under high or very high wildfire warning, according to the state forest office.
