Record heat threatens: Germany is fighting temperatures of up to 42 degrees!

Record heat threatens: Germany is fighting temperatures of up to 42 degrees!

Germany is on the way to one of the hottest phases in recent years. How fr.de According to reports, a massive heat wave is expected between the end of June and the beginning of July 2025, which could bring temperatures of up to 42 degrees. Especially between Monday, June 30th and Wednesday, July 2nd, highs of 38 to 42 degrees are expected, which could lead to new temperature records. The peak value is currently 41.2 degrees, recorded in Duisburg in July 2019.

The weather will not only be oppressive, but also dangerous to your health. In the coming days, constant heat above 30 degrees is expected across the country, while the nights in large cities offer little cooling - in some cases temperatures remain above 25 degrees. Older people, sick people and socially disadvantaged population groups are particularly affected by this and should receive support in everyday life.

The dangers of extremely high temperatures

The heat wave has far-reaching health consequences, ranging from dizziness and confusion to serious organ damage and heat stroke. How tagesschau.de highlights, in 2024 four billion people worldwide will experience 30 additional hot days than a decade earlier. Since the Heat Action Day 2024 alone, Germany has recorded 50 days above 30 degrees - 24 more than in a world without climate change.

The body's reaction to extreme heat is manifested by an accelerated pulse, profuse sweating and headaches. First aid measures for heat exhaustion include the administration of water and salt. Preventive measures such as drinking enough fluids and wearing loose clothing are strongly recommended.

Strategies against the heat

In order to better meet the challenges posed by the heat, urban development measures are particularly needed. Reflective colors for roofs and walls as well as the provision of cool public spaces can be useful. The Federal Ministry was already planning a comprehensive “Heat Protection Plan for Health” in 2024. In cities like Straubing, innovative solutions are already being used, such as the use of water mist for cooling.

According to that Federal Environment Agency Heat waves, which are characterized by the combination of hot days and tropical nights, pose a serious health risk. In the previous hot summers of 2018 and 2019, an estimated 15,600 people died due to heat stress. Forecasts suggest that heat-related mortality could increase by up to 6 percent for every degree Celsius increase in temperature. This would result in over 5,000 additional deaths per year by mid-century.

The coming heat wave is a clear sign of global warming. We must arm ourselves together against increasingly extreme weather phenomena and take responsibility for the health of the population. The best thing we can do is look out for each other and take the right actions to address the challenges of climate change.