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Hot warning for NRW: temperatures up to 37 degrees on Wednesday!
Wittenberg reports weather warnings: hot days with temperatures over 30°C expected, health risks for vulnerable groups.
Hot warning for NRW: temperatures up to 37 degrees on Wednesday!
The upcoming heat wave brings with it significant challenges for North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued an official warning of extreme heat for Wednesday, August 13th. The highest temperatures are expected to be between 33 and 37 degrees, even in the high altitudes of the Sauerland the 30 degree mark will be exceeded. Older people and people in need of care who need rapid help in this situation are particularly affected. As [wa.de reports](https://www.wa.de/nordrhein-westfalen/wetterdienst-gabe-amtliche-warning-fuer-nrw-heraus-kann-gefaehrlich- Werden-93880044.html), the DWD is asking all citizens to avoid the heat if possible.
Forecasts show Wednesday will be the hottest day of the week, with Wetteronline meteorologist Niklas Weise confirming that temperatures will heat up, particularly in cities, the Rhineland and the Ruhr area. Fortunately, no muggy air is expected, which could make the heat even more bearable. But caution is advised: on Thursday night the temperatures cannot fall below 20 degrees, which leads to tropical nights that represent additional stress.
Weather situation and outlook
The heat wave will continue on Thursday, but will then spread to the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, where temperatures of over 30 degrees are also expected. As lzg.nrw.de explains, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, older people and the chronically ill are at risk. Even though local showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast, the situation remains tense. From Friday, temperatures will only drop slightly by one or two degrees, but the risk of heat thunderstorms, which can be accompanied by heavy rain, hail and squalls, increases.
The rising temperatures are part of a larger trend: An increase in heat waves and tropical nights has been observed in Germany since the 1980s, as the Federal Environment Agency reports. Devastatingly, eight of the ten warmest summers since 1881 have been recorded in the last 30 years. The forecasts suggest that the number of heatwaves could quadruple by the end of the century, putting pressure on policymakers to take appropriate public health measures.
Heat prevention measures
In order to minimize the negative effects of the heat, the federal government expects cities like Mannheim and Dortmund to now develop concrete heat action plans. The Federal Environment Agency has already suggested preventative measures for care facilities, kindergartens and the craft sector. These include greening facades, planting trees and unsealing areas. It is emphasized that these measures are not only intended to have a short-term effect, but require a long-term, sustainable approach to heat adaptation.
The day after the heat warning, August 14th, citizens should pay particular attention to local showers and the possible threat of thunderstorms. At the same time, it is recommended to observe the nights, as the Perseid shooting star shower will be worth a look - despite the heat, you don't want to take your eyes off for a special view of the sky!