Heat wave in Saxony: record temperatures flood the region!

Heat wave in Saxony: record temperatures flood the region!

A truly hot spectacle is currently unfolding in Saxony: the heat wave is reaching its peak and is bringing the residents sweaty temperatures. An incredible 34.5 degrees was measured in Halle/Leipzig on Wednesday, while other places such as Holzhausen (34.2 degrees) and Plauen (33.5 degrees) were not far behind. Following this high summer, it will continue to be hot on Thursday, with forecasts predicting highs between 34 and 36 degrees. A weak wind from the east will not alleviate the extreme heat, but rather intensify it. The LVZ reports that the temperature will probably not fall below 32 degrees in the next few days, even if slightly cooler values ​​of 30 to 34 degrees are expected in the mountains.

After a consistently warm night, in which temperatures only dropped to between 21 and 16 degrees, the heat entered a new round on Friday. With temperatures of up to 37 degrees in the afternoon, the Saxons have to prepare for a strenuous time. In addition, the partly changing cloud cover could also bring showers or thunderstorms regionally.

Climatic changes clearly noticeable

This heat wave is not just a temporary phenomenon, but is directly related to the changing climatic conditions in Saxony. In recent years, especially in 2022, the region experienced an extreme year with record temperatures of 39.2 degrees in Dresden. A bitter legacy of this warmth is the negative consequences such as forest fires, groundwater lowering and a noticeable deficit in precipitation. In its report, T-online shows that annual temperatures have risen by 2.1 degrees Celsius and that the number of hours of sunshine has increased by 29 percent compared to the years 1961 to 1990.

The effects are also noticeable on agriculture. Although initially there was benefit from good soil moisture, many yield expectations are now suffering. Winter wheat yields this year are 68.7 decitons per hectare, which is behind the 2021 values. Fruit and vegetable growers are struggling with the extreme weather conditions, while the wine harvest is good in quality but suffers in quantity.

Long-term forecasts and necessary measures

The luminaries of climate research warn: The next ten years are expected to be even warmer and drier, which can only increase the risk of further extreme weather events such as heat waves or heavy rain. In its latest reports, WWF highlights that humans are the main cause of these worrying developments. According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Earth's surface temperature has increased more rapidly than ever before in the last 2,000 years, which could result in more coastal flooding in the future.

In light of these developments, it will be urgently necessary for Saxony and the entire region to face the challenges of climate change. Not only energy policy measures are required, but also ecological solutions to strengthen nature's resilience. The recovery of natural floodplains and the renaturation of water bodies could be crucial steps towards effective flood protection.