Germany glows: record heat and tropical nights on weekends!

Germany glows: record heat and tropical nights on weekends!

On Friday, June 13, 2025, Germany experienced a pronounced heat wave, which caused high temperatures, especially in the southwest of the country. 34.7 degrees in Wolfach and 34.6 degrees were measured in Rheinstetten. But not only the temperatures, but also the high humidity gave many cities a tropical night. In Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen and Freiburg, the thermometer above 20 degrees.

A hot Saturday is imminent, especially in the west and southwest of Germany. From the afternoon, the German Weather Service (DWD) also announces individual, sometimes strong thunderstorms that can bring the local storm risk. Heavy rain is predicted to be particularly problematic, which awakens memories of past flood events in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

A look at the climate history

The current temperatures are the result of long -term development, which has been observed since the global records observed at the beginning of global recordings. The Federal Environment Agency points out that 2023 has been the hottest since the beginning of the global temperature measurements. The average temperature was almost 1.5 ° C above the pre -industrial level, and that is certainly not a coincidence. It is the 47th year in a row, in which above -average temperatures are recorded.

These extreme values ​​are not only shown in Europe, where 2023 becomes the second highest in history, but also worldwide. In North America, the average temperatures were 2.01 ° C above the long -term means, and in South America a heat wave resulted in devastating forest fires.

The future of the weather

experts agree that the situation in the upcoming decades will be tightened. The DWD notes that extreme weather events such as heat waves in Germany increase and the likelihood of new temperature records increases. The development shows that there is a clear tendency towards ever higher temperatures, while the number of cold winter and cool summer decreases.

Even if there can still be natural variability that occasionally brings cold temperatures, the likelihood of extreme heat events will probably increase in the future. According to a report by the DWD, climate change already leads to changed weather patterns that occur in new regions. Global warming is no longer just an abstract term, but directly shapes the current weather.

A conscious examination of these changes is urgently needed in order to be able to better manage future challenges. So let's stay attentive and take every opportunity to talk about climate change and its consequences.

For more information about the current weather in Germany and climate research, please visit the pages of endthuringen , Environmental Federal Office and German Weather Service .