Touching 40 degrees Celsius…the heat wave reaches its peak in Germany on Thursday

Germany is preparing to record the hottest days of the current heat wave, as temperatures in some areas are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius tomorrow, Thursday.
According to forecasts by the German Meteorological Service (DWD), temperatures will range between 26 and 31 degrees Celsius on the coasts, and between 32 and 39 degrees Celsius in the rest of the country. In addition to the intense heat, some areas are also expected to witness stormy winds, which in some places may reach hurricane force.
According to the authority, the weather will be sunny in the southeast of the country, while rain showers and thunderstorms will form coming from the southwest and west, gradually extending until the evening to central and northern Germany.
The Authority’s weather expert, Nico Bauer, said: “Extreme caution must be exercised when outdoors,” warning that strong winds and storms may activate widely and simultaneously.
According to forecasts, thunderstorms may be severe, especially in the north, accompanied by strong storm winds that may sometimes reach the level of violent storms. “With these wind speeds, trees could be uprooted, and large objects could be blown away,” Bauer warned.
The Meteorological Authority also warned of the health repercussions of high temperatures, and stated that the southwest, west, and northwest regions are expected to witness widespread, severe heat stress on Wednesday, which may reach very severe levels in some areas. The authority added that this situation is expected to spread to most parts of the country tomorrow, Thursday. The authority recommended avoiding exposure to heat as much as possible, drinking plenty of water, and keeping indoor spaces cool.
The following Thursday/Friday night, rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to move towards the northeast of the country, while new storms may form in the southwest as the morning hours approach. As temperatures drop, it will be possible to ventilate homes better compared to previous nights.
The Meteorological Authority expects the weather on Friday to be divided into two clear regions. Bauer said: “While the weather will remain very hot, with a summer character, in the southeastern half, afternoon temperatures will range between only 24 and 28 degrees Celsius, which are comfortable degrees, in the areas extending from the Baltic Sea to the Lower Rhine River.” On the other hand, rain showers and strong thunderstorms are expected extending from the southwest through the center of the country to the northeast, with the possibility of violent weather conditions in some areas.
The weekend is expected to start with more moderate weather in terms of temperature, but it will witness thunderstorms in some areas. The authority expects hot weather to return on Sunday and Monday, especially in southern and southeastern Germany. “It seems that the real summer has not given up yet,” Bauer concluded.