The exceptional heatwave in the second half of June in Germany and across large parts of Europe has made meteorological history.
The heatwave set new statistical records, with all-time or monthly maximum temperature records set at 467 out of 488 stations, the German Weather Service (DWD) said on Monday
In addition, 339 records were set for the highest daily minimum temperature, DWD said. More than half of stations with records going back at least 40 years set a record for the daily maximum temperature.
In Germany, the heatwave lasted from June 18 to 28. During this period, the 40-degree mark was exceeded on several occasions. According to the DWD, the German figures have now been definitively verified by meteorological standards.
The heatwave in Germany reached its peak over the weekend of June 26 to 28, with historically high temperatures recorded across the country.
A new German temperature record was set on two consecutive days: 41.3 degrees Celsius in Saarbrücken-Burbach on June 26 and 41.8 degrees Celsius in Möckern-Drewitz on June 27. The previous record of 41.2 degrees – set in Duisburg-Baerl and Tönisvorst on July 25, 2019 – was thus surpassed by an “impressive” 0.6 degrees.
The DWD said a total of 54 weather stations reached or exceeded the 40-degree mark at least once during the heatwave weekend – accompanied by tropical nights and extremely high daily averages.
The report says the heat was fuelled by hot air from North Africa, strong solar radiation and unusually warm Mediterranean Sea surfaces.