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Heat wave 2025: Germany will sink into extreme heat!
Extreme heat over Germany: forecasts warn of temperatures of up to 46 degrees. Health risks and tips for protection.
Heat wave 2025: Germany will sink into extreme heat!
Hardly any other season causes as much excitement as summer - but this year it's not the sunny holiday that's heating up people's minds. The current heat wave, which has Germany and large parts of Europe firmly in its grip, is classified as particularly dramatic. The temperatures reach peak values of up to 40 degrees in the shade, while the perceived temperatures in the blazing sun can even rise to 46 degrees, as Leinetal24 reports. France and Italy are also affected, where temperatures of up to 43 degrees are already reported.
In cities, the heat-absorbing materials in urban heat islands create a build-up of heat, which makes the situation even worse. Older people, children and chronically ill people are particularly at risk. Health risks such as heat stroke, dehydration and circulatory problems are commonplace. It often only cools down a little at night - temperatures rarely fall below 20 degrees. There is no real recovery in sight as the weather services classify this heat wave as “potentially life-threatening”.
Drought is exacerbating the situation
In addition to the extreme heat, Germany experienced the driest weather since 1893 in the first half of 2025, with just 146.8 mm of rainfall. This not only increases the lack of water in vegetation, but also leads to an increased risk of heat deaths. It is estimated that around 28,000 people in Europe die each year due to heatwaves, a number that could rise dramatically by 2050, especially if no adaptation measures are taken, according to the latest IPCC report. Ingenieur.de reports that the current heat wave reached its peak at the end of June and that temperatures in some regions could even exceed 42 degrees.
New temperature records are already being set in many cities. The term “heat dome” describes the phenomenon in which a blocking area of high pressure prevents air exchange and traps extreme heat. Challenges such as the increasing need for air conditioning units are also overloading power grids and increasing the risk of power outages.
Health world and climate change
A comprehensive report from the European Environment Agency shows the serious health consequences of climate change. Heat is the leading cause of deaths linked to natural hazards in Europe. The impact on infectious diseases, which are increasingly migrating north due to rising temperatures and changing climatic conditions, is particularly critical. This is considered a new threat to public health. EEA highlights that particularly vulnerable groups, including the elderly and immunocompromised people, are more affected.
Given these challenges, it is essential to develop appropriate measures to protect the population. Recommendations for action include, among other things, improving the adaptability of healthcare facilities to extreme weather conditions, creating more green spaces and adapting working hours to the high temperatures. The prevention of heat damage and coordinated surveillance of disease vectors are also crucial for the future health of the population.
The hot days are not just a summer phenomenon - they are a clear alarm clock for our society to deal with the growing challenges of climate change. When the next heat wave comes, the motto is: If you act wisely, you can protect yourself and others!