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Germany facing heat shock: 40 degrees in sight – alarm for everyone!
Extreme heat waves in Germany: Forecasts indicate up to 43 degrees on July 20, 2025. Climate change and health risks in focus.
Germany facing heat shock: 40 degrees in sight – alarm for everyone!
The weather forecasts for Germany are currently sending an alarming signal: As Dominik Jung reports on Merkur, the weather models GFS and ECMWF show extreme heat peaks that are forecast for July 20th. Temperatures between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius are in the room, which is probably unprecedented in this frequency. Jung, a media meteorologist with 25 years of experience, notes that he is not familiar with such model runs and sees the regular calculation of these extreme values as a clear warning signal.
Many people wonder whether these unpleasant predictions are a sign of climate change or whether they are just a temporary aberration. In June there were already lead-ups to highs of around 40 degrees, which essentially occurred in neighboring countries such as France and Italy. Germany was initially spared from this heat wave. However, July is traditionally the hottest month of the year and the coming days could confirm this.
The consequences of a heat wave
A temperature rise above 40 degrees would have serious consequences: traffic disruptions, damage to road surfaces and severely impaired infrastructure are just some of the expected consequences. Older people, the sick and children are particularly at risk. A term that could now become a reality is “heat deaths”. The model forecasts for the coming days should be taken seriously as they become increasingly noticeable.
Heat records are no longer isolated cases around the world. Recently, unbearable temperatures of over 40 to even 50 degrees Celsius have been reported in North America, China and southern Europe. This shows that the extremes go beyond our national borders; now the BPB is also reporting on the global trends. Summer 2022 was the warmest year in Germany, with temperatures 2.3 degrees above average, as well as extreme droughts between 2018 and 2020. In June 2023, Germany experienced drought again.
Drought and climate change
According to the Federal Environment Agency, drought, a condition of insufficient water availability, is not exclusively limited to Germany, but is a worldwide phenomenon. The changing weather and water conditions caused by climate change increase the risk of drought events. Scientists warn that drought will increase in many regions, and the impact on agriculture, health and energy supplies is often serious.
In Germany we need to prepare for drought management strategies to meet the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events. The national water strategy is intended to help improve water management and the protection of ecosystems.
Given these developments, it is essential that we address the challenges of climate change. Heat waves, which have become increasingly common in recent years, require not only strategic measures at the local and national level, but also a rethinking of how we use the resources at our disposal.