Nighttime temperature in Germany hits record 29.4 degrees; 40-degree warning for the east
The DWD announced that the nighttime temperature in Kubschütz, Saxony, did not drop below 29.4 degrees; forest fires and transport disruptions have been reported.
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As the extreme heatwave intensifies in Germany, a national nighttime temperature record has been broken. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) reported that in the town of Kubschütz, near Bautzen in the state of Saxony, the temperature did not fall below 29.4 degrees Celsius throughout the night.
According to the DWD's statement, this figure is the highest nighttime temperature ever recorded in Germany since records began. The previous nighttime temperature record in the country was 27.2 degrees, recorded on Weinbiet Mountain in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
The Meteorological Service stated that as of 08:00 in the morning, temperatures at some measuring stations had already exceeded 30 degrees. A warning has been issued that temperatures could exceed 40 degrees, particularly in the eastern regions of Germany.
RECORD CLAIMS ALSO FOR DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
According to reports in the German press, 41.5 degrees was measured in the town of Möckern-Drewitz in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. In Saarbrücken-Burbach, in the state of Saarland, the temperature reached 41.3 degrees. The DWD announced that the data regarding the temperature records will be re-verified on-site at the measuring stations, and if the record is confirmed, an announcement will be made after the weekend.
Extreme heat has also increased the risk of fire in some regions. According to the German Press Agency, forest fires have broken out in the Gohrischheide forest area between the states of Saxony and Brandenburg, and in the town of Traisen in Rhineland-Palatinate.
The fire, which affected a 16-hectare area in Gohrischheide, was tackled by two firefighting helicopters and approximately 200 firefighters. Because the area is a former military training ground, the explosion of unexploded ordnance hindered firefighting efforts.
It was reported that explosions also occurred in the forest area in Traisen due to remnants of ammunition, which led to a suspension of firefighting efforts. While buildings on some streets were evacuated as a precaution, it was stated that there is currently no danger to the evacuated structures.
The hot weather has also affected transportation. In the city of Leipzig, it was announced that tram services were suspended until the following morning due to heat-related damage to the tracks.