Germany recorded a temperature of 41.7 degrees Celsius at the Neißemünde-Coschen station in Brandenburg on Sunday, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). This heat triggered infrastructure damage, including asphalt buckling on the A2 motorway, and prompted calls from Caritas president Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa to open more churches as places to cool down.
Why is Germany’s infrastructure struggling with recent heatwaves?
Road surfaces are failing under extreme thermal stress, leading to dangerous buckling on major transit arteries. According to the German Weather Service, the heat damage forced the closure of sections of the A2 motorway near Burg in Saxony-Anhalt. While the section near Burg has reopened, other stretches of the motorway in Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt remain closed. Drivers are being asked to avoid the A2. In Leipzig the asphalt melted directly above the tram tracks.
The night leading into Sunday was the warmest since records began. Meteorologists at the DWD recorded 29.4 degrees in Kubschütz in Saxony.
How are social services responding to rising temperatures?
There is a push to utilize churches as places where people can cool down. Caritas president Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa told Bild newspaper that while many churches are already accessible, this is not enough – “there should once again be more”. Welskop-Deffaa is calling for more churches to be kept open to visitors.
What is the meteorological outlook for the coming week?
The weather service expects the heatwave weekend to come to an end on Sunday evening as storms move in. The DWD forecasts a significant temperature drop for Monday, with highs in most regions ranging between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius. However, in eastern and south-eastern Germany local temperatures of up to 32 degrees are still possible.
Comparing recent heat extremes
The record set on Sunday at 41.7 degrees Celsius follows a previous record high that had been set on Saturday in Möckern-Drewitz in Saxony-Anhalt. The records illustrate the intensity of the heatwave, which spanned multiple federal states and strained regional infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the highest temperature recorded in Germany?
The DWD confirmed a temperature of 41.7 degrees Celsius at the Neißemünde-Coschen station in the district of Oder-Spree in Brandenburg on Sunday.
Are motorways in Germany safe during heatwaves?
On several motorways, including parts of the A2, the asphalt buckled. Other stretches of the motorway in Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt remain closed because of damage to the road surface. Drivers are being asked to avoid the A2.
When is the heatwave expected to end?
The DWD expects the heatwave weekend to come to an end on Sunday evening as storms move in, with significantly cooler temperatures forecast for Monday.
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