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Heat wave in North Rhine-Westphalia: threatens to reach 40 degrees! Health warning until Wednesday!
NRW expects extreme temperatures of up to 40 degrees from July 1, 2025. Warnings about health risks and heat stress.
Heat wave in North Rhine-Westphalia: threatens to reach 40 degrees! Health warning until Wednesday!
Summer currently has North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in its hot grip. Today, July 1, 2025, the thermometer is touching the 40 degree mark in some regions. According to the latest reports from calf The peak of the heat wave is expected on Wednesday, July 2nd. On this day, extreme heat stress is forecast between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., with highs of 36 to 39 degrees and at high altitudes around 33 degrees.
What does this mean specifically for the people of Cologne and their surroundings? The official warning from the German Weather Service (DWD) applies not only to the cathedral city, but also to the entire Ruhr area and large parts of Westphalia. Temperatures of over 30 degrees were already measured in Aachen on Tuesday morning, and the heat wave that began on Monday affected almost all of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Health hazards in extreme heat
The health risks caused by the extreme heat should not be underestimated. The DWD warns of dangers such as headaches, exhaustion, dizziness and circulatory problems. Older people, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses are particularly at risk. That's why it's even more important to follow the DWD's recommendations: drink enough water, avoid physical exertion and seek cooler rooms. According to the Robert Koch Institute ( RKI ) it is even assumed that heat will increase in the coming decades, which increases the need for preventative measures.
No significant weather events such as thunderstorms or storms are expected for the next few days, increasing the acute effects of the heat for now. However, Wednesday's heat wave could also lead to the setting of new temperature records, especially in the Bay of Cologne on the Lower Rhine and in the Ruhr area. The previous record for NRW is 41.2 degrees, recorded on July 25, 2019.
But after this tropical phase there is light at the end of the tunnel: from Thursday it will be significantly cooler with highs of a pleasant 25 to 27 degrees. To beat the heat, heat thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday evening, followed by heavy rain on Thursday.
How to prepare
The DWD recommends avoiding spending time in the blazing sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and paying particular attention to people at risk. Here are some tips to get through the heat wave safely:
- Trink regelmäßig Wasser – mindestens zwei Liter pro Tag!
- Vermeide körperliche Anstrengungen, vor allem in den heißesten Stunden.
- Sorge für kühle Innenräume, nutze Ventilatoren oder Klimaanlagen.
- Achte auf gesundheitliche Veränderungen und suche im Fall von Symptomen wie Schwindel oder extreme Müdigkeit sofort Hilfe.
Whether the people of Cologne retreat to the balcony at the next barbecue or chill out in the shade – healthy precautions pay off. Stay cool and take care of yourself and your neighbors!