Overview
- The Deutscher Wetterdienst reported a preliminary new national high of 41.5°C in Möckern‑Drewitz on Saturday, topping Friday’s 41.3°C reading and remaining subject to verification.
- Rail operators including Deutsche Bahn advised against non‑essential travel and some regional lines were paused after heat caused technical problems and forced an earlier evacuation of passengers.
- Emergency services in cities such as Cologne and Dormagen reported heavy strain, with multiple heat‑related rescues, evacuations from overheated care homes and hospital transfers of vulnerable residents.
- Road and power infrastructure showed visible damage, with warped asphalt prompting lane closures and transformer fires producing local outages in several towns.
- Forecasters warn that tropical nights will limit overnight recovery, raise health risks for the elderly and outdoor workers, and that severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail and strong winds are possible before temperatures ease early next week.