Heat wave in Rhineland-Palatinate: Almost 40 degrees expected, highest warning level!

Heat wave in Rhineland-Palatinate: Almost 40 degrees expected, highest warning level!

The heat has us firmly under control! A new heat wave began in Rhineland-Palatinate at the weekend and is expected to intensify this week. Loud SWR The temperatures on Monday are aiming for between 30 degrees in the Eifel and up to 35 degrees in Ludwigshafen. Weather expert Sven Plöger predicts that the values ​​could even reach the alarming 40 degree mark by the middle of the week.

It looks like cooling is not in sight until Thursday. Initially we expect a sunny and hot week, before showers and thunderstorms await us towards the end of the week. On Friday night we can also look forward to a pleasant cooling down to 19 to 14 degrees, followed by repeated rain. But the risk of forest fires is currently increasing, especially on Tuesday, when warning level 5 could be reached.

Ecological alarm signals

The development of nature during this heat period is also worrying. June was particularly dry, with just 59 liters of precipitation per square meter, below the long-term average of 76 liters. As a result, the Rhine and Moselle have exceeded the critical temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, while the Saar and Nahe are just below. Environment Minister Katrin Eder has already declared the first of four warning levels due to these disruptions in the ecological balance.

By the way, the current situation is not an isolated case. How ZDF informed, the south of Europe is not spared. Extreme heat warnings are issued in Italy and France. In Italy, extreme heat warnings are of major importance for 21 cities, including Rome and Milan. Here, too, authorities are concerned that even healthy people can be affected by the heat. Recommendations for protection: Avoid sunshine between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and use air conditioning.

The great heat hits Europe

The European region has increasingly had to contend with heat waves in recent years. Loud Statista Temperatures in Europe are rising faster than in other regions of the world. From 1980 to 2020, the number of days with high heat stress increased. In 2022, Europeans experienced the hottest temperatures since weather records began.

Southern Europe in particular is hard hit by these extreme weather conditions. In Croatia, rising temperatures and forest fires have come frighteningly close in recent days. Many houses on the south coast have already been destroyed, while the fire brigade in Greece also has to fight against raging flames.

Climatic changes present society with enormous challenges. The increasing risk of heat waves and droughts not only has ecological impacts, but also far-reaching economic consequences, for example for agriculture and energy supplies.

So let’s keep warm – and hope it cools down soon!