August 13 is set to be the hottest day that Germany has seen so far in 2024, according to reports from the German Weather Service (DWD).

August 13 set to be hottest day of 2024 in Germany

Frozen flannels, hand fans and swimming suits at the ready; August 13 in Germany is set to be the hottest day of 2024 so far. Temperatures have been rising across Germany since a heat bubble hit late last week. 

On Tuesday, the DWD expects temperatures to reach 37 degrees celsius, with a heat alert issued for much of the country bar parts of the North and Baltic Sea coastlines.

Level 2 and level 3 warnings have also been issued for weather in parts of Baden-Württemberg, namely the area around Schweighausen and Oberprechtal, northeast of Freiburg. 

To keep cool in heatwaves, the German government recommends drinking between two and three litres of water throughout the day, rescheduling intensive activities for cooler times of day and wearing a head covering and high-factor sun cream to protect your skin while outside.

Cities will be hot and sticky during the night

Over the next few days, there won’t be much relief from the heat once the sun sets, since temperatures are forecast to remain high through the night. In German cities, temperatures of between 20 and 24 degrees are expected to persist from dusk through dawn.

The heat bubble has arrived in Germany after much of southern Europe spent the past few weeks sizzling, with extreme temperatures leading to drought in Spain and Italy and wildfires in Greece.

As of the morning of August 13, Greek firefighters and emergency services have evacuated towns, villages and hospitals on the outskirts of Athens as wildfires propelled by gale-force winds tear through the area.

As climate change continues unfettered, the World Meteorological Organisation predicts Europe will be the continent which heats up at the fastest rate.

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