Extreme heat and thunderstorm warning: Braunschweig on alert!

Extreme heat and thunderstorm warning: Braunschweig on alert!

The atmosphere is boiling in northern Germany: The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued an official warning of extreme heat and impending thunderstorms today, July 3, 2025. In Braunschweig, for example, temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius are expected between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. This high level of heat represents a significant burden, especially for older people and those in need of care. The DWD therefore recommends staying in the shade as much as possible during hot periods, consuming enough fluids and keeping the interior cool in order to avoid the physical stress.

But the extreme heat only lasts a short time: From Wednesday afternoon, a cold front will move in, bringing with it hearty thunderstorms, violent squalls and heavy rain. Forecasts show that rainfall of over 40 liters per square meter could occur in a very short time. Hail with diameters of up to 4 centimeters is also expected. This weather development means that the Braunschweig fire department is asking the population to be careful, especially between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., and to avoid staying outdoors when thunderstorms are approaching. The risk of falling trees, falling branches and roof tiles increases significantly.

Further developments in the region

After today's hot day, Thursday night will be accompanied by a cooling down, with temperatures dropping to around 23 degrees. For Friday and Saturday, meteorologists expect more pleasant temperatures between 23 and 26 degrees, although it should remain dry. At the weekend, however, showers could move across the region again.

This weather-related reversal is not an isolated case and is related to increasing extreme weather events, which are often due to climate change. The WWF points out that the increase in global average temperatures and the increase in extreme weather events, such as heavy rain and heat waves, are direct consequences of human activities. A report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that global warming is significantly increasing the likelihood of these dramatic weather phenomena.

Critical voices and further information

In the context of the current weather situation, the DWD has also warned of severe weather in neighboring regions, including Lower Saxony, Bremen, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. The recommendations are clear: keep windows and doors closed and avoid spending time outside if possible. There are already reports of initial damage, such as fallen trees in Lingen in Emsland and other incidents on the A1 and A28 motorways.

The German Life Saving Society also warns of dangers at swimming lakes, as the rise in water temperatures can also have negative effects here. Municipalities in Lower Saxony have already drawn up heat protection plans to better protect their citizens.

It remains to be seen how the situation will develop further. Even though the summer was already a highlight with temperatures over 38 degrees, the real challenge remains dealing with the extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. If it's already hot today, violent thunderstorms could soon be the order of the day - a reminder of how quickly the weather can change.

The coming days will show how nature adapts to this new situation. So stay careful and alert!