A new heatwave is moving from southern Europe to Germany. Authorities warn of temperatures reaching up to 38°C. The extreme heat is already causing record nights and disruptions across the Mediterranean.
Germany is bracing for a surge in temperatures as a powerful high-pressure system, currently driving record-breaking heat across southern Europe, shifts northward. Meteorologists warn that the coming days could see parts of western and southwestern Germany reach up to 38°C, with the rest of the country not far behind. This development follows a series of unprecedented heat events in the Mediterranean, where authorities in France, Italy, and Spain have issued repeated warnings and reported temperatures exceeding 40°C in multiple regions.
Recent nights have been particularly severe: Mallorca experienced its hottest night since records began, while Sardinia saw the thermometer hit 47°C, just shy of the European all-time high of 48.8°C recorded in Sicily in 2021. The persistent heat has led to dangerous conditions, including fatalities in Andalusia, and has forced many tourists to alter their travel plans. According to meteorologist Dominik Jung, the Mediterranean's unusually warm waters are intensifying the situation, making a quick return to normal unlikely.
Forecasts indicate that the high-pressure system will move towards Scandinavia by midweek, positioning itself between Scandinavia and Germany. This shift is expected to funnel hot air from the Mediterranean northwards, triggering what Jung describes as a clear signal for a third heatwave in Germany this summer. The impact will be uneven at first: while the south and southwest will see the highest temperatures, the north will remain cooler and unsettled, with thunderstorms possible until midweek. However, by the second half of the week, the weather is expected to stabilize across the country, with alternating periods of heat and severe storms—a pattern that has become typical for the summer of 2026.
While Germany is unlikely to match the extreme highs seen in Spain, France, or Italy, most regions are expected to experience temperatures between 32°C and 36°C, with the southwest potentially reaching 38°C. The German Weather Service (DWD) notes that some areas could face so-called 'desert days'—when daytime highs exceed 35°C—and 'tropical nights,' where temperatures do not drop below 20°C. The duration of this heatwave remains uncertain, as sudden thunderstorms could abruptly end the hot spell, a scenario supported by meteorologist Karsten Brandt, who expects a cold front to arrive early next week.
At the same time, the Mediterranean continues to face relentless heat, with no significant relief in sight. The situation is being closely monitored by authorities, especially after recent incidents in Andalusia. For context, similar weather extremes have also affected Spain, where storms and hail have compounded the risks during intense heatwaves—details on these developments can be found in reports such as the recent coverage of severe storms and hail in southeast Spain.
Heatwaves like the current one are becoming more frequent and intense across Europe, a trend linked by experts to broader climate patterns and the warming of the Mediterranean Sea. These events not only disrupt daily life and tourism but also strain infrastructure and public health systems. In Germany, the authorities are urging residents to stay alert for official updates, especially as forecasts beyond a week remain uncertain. Meteorologists emphasize that while another heatwave is likely before the end of summer, precise timing remains unpredictable, with forecasts beyond seven to ten days considered only as general trends rather than exact predictions.
