Germany is bracing for another day of extreme temperatures after recording its hottest June day on record, as a deadly heatwave continues to sweep across Western Europe and push eastwards toward Central Europe.
A preliminary reading of 41.3°C was recorded near Saarbrücken, close to the French border, on Friday, according to Germany’s National Meteorological Service.
The figure surpassed previous June temperature records and underscores the intensity of the ongoing weather system.
Authorities have issued extreme heat warnings across nearly the entire country, urging residents to conserve water as soaring temperatures place growing strain on infrastructure, transport networks and public services.
The heatwave, which has already affected Britain, France, Switzerland and Germany, is expected to intensify over the weekend, with forecasters warning that temperatures could climb well above 40°C in parts of Germany before gradually shifting towards Poland and other Central European countries.
Meteorologist Karsten Brandt of the forecasting platform Donnerwetter.de warned that the peak of the heatwave is yet to come, describing the coming days as potentially the most severe.
“The heatwave is going to peak at the weekend, well over 40 degrees in some parts of Germany,” he said.
The extreme weather has already had deadly consequences in France, where dozens of heat-related deaths have been reported.
Temperatures above 40°C have disrupted rail services, reduced electricity generation capacity, forced schools to suspend outdoor activities, triggered alcohol restrictions in some areas and led to the cancellation of public events.
Across Germany, concerns are mounting over the impact of prolonged heat on critical infrastructure, including the risk of railway track deformation, road surface damage and increased wildfire outbreaks.
Organisers of the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt announced adjustments to Sunday’s competition, including shortened cycling and running routes, to protect athletes from the dangerous conditions.
Germany’s national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, has also allowed passengers to cancel long-distance travel without penalties through early next week, citing safety concerns linked to extreme heat, thunderstorms and fire risks that could disrupt signalling systems and overhead power lines.
Similarly, National Express suspended services on its Rhine-Ruhr-Express route in North Rhine-Westphalia on Saturday afternoon as a precaution against potential operational hazards.
Andre Berghegger, head of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, called on residents to voluntarily reduce water consumption, warning that local authorities may be forced to impose restrictions if demand continues to rise.
“We should rely on voluntary cooperation as long as possible; local authorities should only issue bans if that doesn’t work,” he said.
Meteorologists expect a gradual easing of the heat after the weekend, although thunderstorms are forecast in parts of the region on Sunday, which may bring sudden but unstable relief.
The heatwave has also disrupted daily life across Europe, forcing the closure of cultural sites, damaging agricultural output and increasing pressure on hospitals already dealing with rising emergency admissions linked to heat stress.
Data from the Reuters Climate Monitor indicates that temperatures are currently up to 18°C above seasonal averages, driven by an atmospheric “Omega block” that traps hot air over large areas for extended periods.
The surge in temperatures has triggered a spike in demand for cooling appliances such as fans and air conditioners, particularly in Northern Europe, where housing is traditionally built to retain heat rather than dissipate it.
The World Meteorological Organization has warned that the heatwave is expected to shift further into Central Europe and the Balkans before the end of the month.
Scientists have also noted that such extreme temperatures would have been virtually impossible without human-induced climate change, which has significantly increased the frequency and severity of heat extremes and unusually warm nights over the past two decades.
