Heat record in Andernach: Germany sweats at 39.3 degrees!

Heat record in Andernach: Germany sweats at 39.3 degrees!

Anyone who looks to Germany these days cannot rely on fresh breezes and cool temperatures. Quite the opposite, as the country is in the midst of a heat wave that exceeds even the highest expectations. Today, July 2, 2025, Andernach in Rhineland-Palatinate reached the provisional peak of 39.3 degrees Celsius at around 3:30 p.m. This heat wave is rounded off by temperatures around 39 degrees, which are predicted in many parts of the country, as Merkur reports.

The second highest temperature was recorded in Tangerhütte-Demker, Saxony-Anhalt, at 39.2 degrees, closely followed by Kitzingen in Bavaria, where 39.1 degrees were measured. Despite these record temperatures, the all-time heat record for Germany, which was measured at 41.2 degrees on July 25, 2019 in Duisburg-Baerl and Tönisvorst, remains unattainable. However, it is noteworthy that forecasts for the coming days indicate up to 42 degrees, which raises the risk of a new record, according to Schwarzwälder Bote.

Adverse weather conditions

The reason for this extreme heat lies in stable high pressure levels that block cool air masses. These high pressure areas then pull in hot air from North Africa. According to the Ingenieur, not only are the temperatures unusually high, but the amount of precipitation is also alarmingly low. The first half of 2025 was the driest since 1893, with just 146.8 mm of rain between January and June, further exacerbating heat-related stress on vegetation.

Older people, small children and people with previous illnesses are particularly affected by the heat. Therefore, recommendations such as shade, sufficient fluids and the use of fans are even more important. The high level of tropical nights - temperatures above 20 degrees - also increases the health risks, explains the engineering source. Even if there are differences in the weather in the individual federal states, it is also important to prepare for the challenges of heat waves that are intensified by climate change.

The outlook for the next few days

The forecasts for the coming days are not promising: a peak of the heat wave is expected in the middle of the week. The weather forecasts in other cities also show high values; temperatures over 35 degrees can be expected in the southwest and west. For example, up to 34 degrees are predicted for Wednesday in Freiburg and even 38 degrees in Karlsruhe, according to the Schwarzwälder Bote.

Overall, the situation remains tense. As Germany and large parts of Europe struggle with this intense heat wave, the long-term trends appear to be more worrying. According to reports, over two-thirds of Europe's worst heatwaves since 1950 occurred after 2000, and climate change is exacerbating this situation. So it could be even hotter than you think.