Extreme heat and thunderstorm warning: Braunschweig on alert!

Extreme heat and thunderstorm warning: Braunschweig on alert!

Braunschweig, Deutschland - The atmosphere in Northern Germany is bubbling: The German Weather Service (DWD) has published an official warning of extreme heat and upcoming 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 heat is a significant burden, especially for older and needy people. The DWD therefore recommends that you are in the shade during the heat period, to consume enough fluid and keep the interior cool to escape the physical loads.

But the extreme heat has only a short breath: from Wednesday afternoon a cold front will be opening, which brings hearty thunderstorms, violent gusts of wind and heavy rain. Forecasts show that there could be precipitation of over 40 liters per square meter in the shortest possible time. Hail with diameters of up to 4 centimeters is also expected. This weather development means that the Braunschweig fire brigade calls on the population to be careful between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. and to avoid the stay outdoors during the storms. The risk of falling trees, falling branches and roof tiles grows considerably.

further developments in the region

After today's heat day, the night on Thursday is accompanied by a cooling, the temperatures drop to around 23 degrees. For Friday and Saturday, the meteorologists expect more pleasant values ​​between 23 and 26 degrees, although it should stay dry. On the weekend, on the other hand, showers could pull across the region again.

This weather -related change is not an isolated case and is related to the increasing weather extremes, which are often due to climate change. The WWF points out that the increase in global average temperature and the increase in extreme weather events such as heavy rain and heat waves are direct consequences of human activities. A report by the World Climate District (IPCC) suggests that the earth heating increases the probability of these dramatic weather phenomena.

critical voices and further information

In the context of the current weather conditions, the DWD also warned of storms in neighboring regions, including Lower Saxony, Bremen, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. The recommendations are clear: keep windows and doors closed and avoid the outdoor stay as far as possible. There are already reports of the first damage, such as fallen trees in Lingen in Emsland and other incidents on the A1 and A28 motorways.

The German Life Rettungs Society also warns of dangers to swimming lakes, since the increase in water temperatures can also have negative effects here. Municipalities in Lower Saxony have already worked out heat protection plans to better protect their citizens: better inside.

It remains to be seen how the situation will develop. Even if summer already offered a highlight with temperatures above 38 degrees, the real challenge remains the handling of the extreme weather locations favored by climate change. If there is already a heat, there can soon be violent thunderstorms - a memory of how quickly the weather can change.

The coming days will show how nature is preparing for this new situation. So stay careful and attentive!