Heat wave hits NRW: thunderstorms and storms endanger the weekend!

Heat wave hits NRW: thunderstorms and storms endanger the weekend!

A hot weekend is coming! The German Weather Service (DWD) is forecasting the first short heat wave of the year, with temperatures of up to 34 degrees. However, experts are already warning that not only the heat but also violent thunderstorms will characterize the weather situation. Loud calf The weather on Friday will be mostly sunny, with highs between 29 and 33 degrees. But the first thunderstorms threaten as early as Saturday afternoon, some of which can be accompanied by heavy rain, hail and squalls.

On the hottest days we expect temperatures that can reach up to 35 degrees in the western half of Germany with increasing humidity, according to a report by zeit.de emerges. The warnings from the DWD are specifically aimed at the period from Friday to Sunday, when strong thunderstorms can occur across Germany. Tropical nights with barely any cooling temperatures can be expected, especially in the Ruhr area.

The dangers of the heat wave

The possible consequences of this heat wave should not be underestimated. According to the DWD, there is a threat of severe thunderstorms on Saturday that could bring up to 40 liters of rain per square meter across the region. In some cities there is even a risk of severe weather, which poses a challenge for many residents. On Sunday, further heavy showers and thunderstorms may characterize the weather situation in the southeastern half of Germany, while the rain should ease in the northwest and west.

The current weather conditions are also a clear sign that many German cities are ill-prepared for such heat waves. This emerges from a study by German Environmental Aid, which found that in cities such as Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Worms a high proportion of the population lives in heavily polluted areas. Deutschlandfunk reports that many important green spaces are missing in these cities, which increases heat stress and endangers the quality of life of residents.

Green spaces as a lifesaver

Things look a little better in North Rhine-Westphalia. Cities like Hattingen, Gummersbach and Witten perform positively because they have more green spaces and fewer sealed areas. Trees and green plants are not only pleasing to the eye, they can significantly lower the temperature in their surroundings. Experts therefore urgently recommend measures such as unsealing areas and greening facades in order to transform cities into green oases and be better prepared for extreme temperatures.

In conclusion, we can expect both high temperatures and weather-related challenges in the coming days. On Sunday, after the heat wave, the temperatures drop again to a pleasant 22 to 26 degrees, which at least brings some relief. But until then, it's important to be careful and prepare appropriately.