Germany braces for fresh heat records as storms threaten

Germany is bracing for another day of extreme heat on Sunday, with temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius forecast that could break the national record set only a day earlier.

The German Weather Service (DWD) said highs of 39 to 41 degrees were expected across parts of eastern and south-eastern Germany, with up to 42 degrees possible in the Lusatia region. Elsewhere, temperatures of 32 to 38 degrees were forecast, although coastal areas were expected to remain cooler.

The DWD also warned of severe thunderstorms nationwide later on Sunday, with torrential rain, damaging wind gusts and large hailstones. Extreme storms bringing up to 50 litres of rain per square metre could not be ruled out.

Germany set a new national heat record on Saturday when a preliminary temperature of 41.5 degrees was measured in Möckern-Drewitz in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The previous record of 41.3 degrees had been set only a day earlier.

Germany has been gripped by a heatwave for several days, with temperatures above 40 degrees and little overnight relief. 

The DWD says extreme weather events such as prolonged heatwaves have become more frequent in Germany as a result of climate change, with data showing an increase in the average number of days above 30 degrees Celsius.