Germany's most populous state records 40.2°C June heat record; rail operator suspends services and care homes are evacuated
North Rhine-Westphalia recorded its highest June temperature ever (40.2°C in Tönisvorst) on Friday, prompting a six-hour suspension of regional train services and the evacuation of multiple care homes across the state.
Record-breaking heat
Temperatures across Germany, and especially North Rhine-Westphalia, reached levels never before recorded this early in the summer. On Friday 26 June, the German Weather Service (DWD) measured 40.2°C in Tönisvorst, the highest June temperature ever registered in the state. The DWD warned of widespread strong or extreme heat stress through the weekend, and the weather agency also cautioned against thunderstorms and heavy rain that could compound the strain on infrastructure.
The rail sector was among the first to feel the consequences. National Express, which operates regional lines in North Rhine-Westphalia, announced a precautionary six-hour halt of all its RRX services on Saturday afternoon. Deutsche Bahn, together with other operators and industry bodies, urged travellers to avoid all non-essential rail journeys on Saturday and Sunday.
The persistent extreme temperatures pose exceptional technical challenges for the vehicles.
Rail disruptions
Between 13:00 and 19:00 on Saturday, the lines RE1, RE4, RE5, RE6 and RE11 were suspended across their entire routes. The operator said the decision was taken to protect passengers and staff, and to prevent unplanned train stoppages on open tracks caused by the extraordinary heat. National Express expects a gradual improvement in vehicle availability on Sunday, though it continues to monitor the situation.
Deutsche Bahn, which does not intend to suspend its own services, acknowledged the pressure on the network. It warned that switches and signalling equipment can be damaged by prolonged direct sunlight, and that the risk of embankment fires rises sharply. The railway had already announced that tickets for long-distance travel up to and including Tuesday 30 June could be cancelled free of charge if purchased before 23 June.
Transport infrastructure in Germany is heavily affected by the record heat this weekend. Rail traffic is also suffering from the extreme temperatures.
Health emergencies in care homes
The heat turned dangerous in several residential care facilities. In Krefeld, five seniors collapsed on Friday evening, and dozens of other residents had to be relocated by the fire brigade. At another home in Dormagen, roughly 160 residents were moved out of overheated areas and given medical treatment. A resident died overnight; a spokesman for the town said it was not yet established whether the heat was the cause.
- Record June temperature of 40.2°C recorded in Tönisvorst, North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Five seniors collapse in Krefeld care home; dozens relocated by fire brigade.
- National Express suspends five RRX regional lines across North Rhine-Westphalia until 19:00.
Outlook and warnings
The DWD expects the heat load to persist on Saturday and Sunday, with thunderstorms and heavy downpours adding to the hazards. National Express is banking on cooler conditions to restore its full timetable early in the week, while Deutsche Bahn is monitoring the infrastructure closely. The heat wave, which follows similar disruptions in the summers of 2025, is testing Germany's ability to operate critical transport networks during increasingly frequent extreme weather.
