Overview
- The Deutscher Wetterdienst issued numerous official heat warnings for Friday as forecasts showed widespread highs of about 31–39°C and local spots near 40°C, with the hottest readings focused in western and southwest regions.
- Authorities and meteorologists warned of strong heat stress and tropical nights in cities, advising people to avoid midday sun, drink fluids, and protect vulnerable groups from heat-related illness.
- Models and forecasters expect a marked weather change beginning Saturday night into Sunday that will bring showers and thunderstorms that can be locally severe with heavy rain, hail, and strong gusts.
- Experts say rainfall totals remain highly uncertain across models, so even where storms occur the rain may not be widespread or deep enough to fix dry soils, low river gauges on the Rhine, or high wildfire danger.
- The late‑summer spike follows an already exceptionally hot June–July recorded by Copernicus and high EFFIS fire alerts, and officials warn that low‑water problems and elevated fire risk could persist through August even after weekend rain.