Heatwave bears down on Germany with temperatures to hit 39 degrees

Temperatures are expected to rise to 39 degrees Celsius in some parts of Germany on Thursday in the latest heatwave beating down on Europe.

The day is expected to be the hottest in the current heatwave, the German Weather Service (DWD) said on Wednesday. Temperatures will range from 26 to 31 degrees along the coast and from 32 to 39 degrees across most of the country. 

There is also a risk of hurricane-force wind gusts, with strong thunderstorms forecast in northern Germany.

"At these wind speeds, trees can be uprooted, and large objects can become airborne," forecaster Nico Bauer warned.

The DWD expects a divergent weather pattern on Friday, with the south-east again seeing hot weather, while temperatures from the Baltic Sea to the Lower Rhine are expected to fall to the mid-20s.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast in a band from the south-west to the north-east. The weekend is expected to begin with cooler temperatures.