Overview

• Weather forecasts predict an early summer heatwave exceeding 30°C on Friday the 13th, followed by potential thunderstorms.
• Insurance analyses from R+V Versicherung show that Fridays falling on the 13th have accident and damage rates on par with typical weekdays.
• The superstition originated from conflating the unlucky number 13—linked to Judas at the Last Supper—and Friday’s association with Jesus’ crucifixion, later popularized in the early 20th century by a U.S. author.
• The clinical term Paraskavedekatriaphobie captures the intense fear some people feel toward this date, prompting airlines, hotels and even sports events to omit the number 13.
• Astrologers identify Pisces, Cancer, Aquarius and Virgo as less vulnerable to the date’s negative reputation and encourage a confident outlook to avoid self-fulfilling fears.