Warning of particularly high temperatures, but also strong winds, heavy rainfall, and even hailfall, has issued for the following days the Federal Weather Service for all regions of Germany, stressing the need to protect vulnerable groups of the population.
According to the forecast, temperatures in the west and southwest Germany They could reach up to 38 degrees Celsius, while in other areas temperatures of 30-35 degrees are expected, with a high level of humidity. The Weather Service also notes in its communication that "thermal stress could pose a health risk" and constitutes an increase in water consumption and maintenance of indoor cool spaces. At the same time, local rains, hail and strong winds are also predicted, with speeds even more than 100 km/h. High temperatures are estimated to be maintained until mid-week.
The extreme weather already affects railway services. The German Railways (DB) announced earlier today that almost all high-speed trains (ICE) between Hamburg and Hanover and Hamburg and Bremen were cancelled, while delays occurred on other routes from the north. The causes of the problems were mainly lightning that caused damage to marking systems.
The chairman of the social welfare club VdK Verena Bentel recommended special care for elderly and homeless these days. For the latter, the German Red Cross asked the municipalities to offer access to cool spaces. The competent national authorities shall monitor the development of heat waves in order to possibly take measures for both workplaces and schools.