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Hitzewelle: This is how long the heatwave in Germany will last

The Local Germany
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Hitzewelle: This is how long the heatwave in Germany will last
Sunflowers at sunrise in Munich on Wednesday morning. Photo: DPA

For several days in a row, temperatures around Germany have been well over 30C. When will the heat let up?

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The weather in Germany continues to leave us all sweltering with temperatures up to 36C expected on Wednesday, as well as a few storms in some parts of the country.

And brace yourselves: the ‘Hitze’ is far from over. 

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"What is striking about this heatwave is the endurance. At least until Wednesday one week from now, it will simply remain very hot,” said meteorologist Dominik Jung to the weather portal wetter.net. 

READ ALSO: Germany records hottest temperature of year as country braces for more heat

“And even after that it continues to be quite warm with flashes of extreme heat,” said Jung, adding that there are no signs of significant cooling down until August 21st. 

What's the outlook over the next few days?

In the northern and eastern parts of the country, the weather will remain sunny and dry throughout the day on Wednesday, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). 

In the west and along the Bavarian Alps, thunderstorms and lightning are set to strike throughout the day.

Tourists in Berlin seek out shade on Wednesday. Photo: DPA

The mercury will be the highest in the west and southwest of Germany; there temperatures are expected to climb to 36C on Wednesday.

At the sea it will become bit cooler with maximum temperatures of 25 to 30C.

READ ALSO: In Photos: This is what Germany looks like during the 'Hitze'

In Berlin, temperatures will stretch to 31C, in Frankfurt 34C, in Cologne 34C with scattered thunderstorms throughout the day, and in Munich 30C.

Thursday and Friday are similar: high temperatures of up to 36C will be met by heavy thunderstorms.

Consequences for nature

Already on Tuesday, storms had swept over larges parts of Germany, especially in the south.

Some roads were not passable due to fallen trees or landslides. In Bavaria, the Schweinfurt fire brigade was called 90 times in the evening because of the storm.

The heatwave also perpetuates the dry weather, said Jung, as there has not been enough rain throughout the year.

Germany is heading for an extreme drought for the third year in a row, with a risk of forest fires in many parts of the country, such as Berlin's neighbouring Brandenburg.

"It could hardly be worse," said Jung. "And while everyone is cheering that it will be so beautiful in the summer, nature, forests and agriculture continue to suffer.

"The forest has already suffered a great deal of damage from the drought so far.”

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