Germany is bracing for what could be the last major heatwave of summer 2026, with temperatures in the Upper Rhine region expected to approach 40C on Friday, after widespread 35C readings were forecast for the southwest earlier this week.
In Berlin and Brandenburg, the Deutscher Wetterdienst forecasts highs climbing from 24–27C on Wednesday to 31–35C by Friday, with clear, dry conditions persisting through the week. Nights will offer limited relief, with lows of 11–15C ahead of Friday and 14–18C ahead of Saturday. Meteorologist Dominik Jung expects the intense heat to begin receding around August 15.
A broader shift to cooler air masses and frontal systems is expected from Sunday, bringing temperatures down to the mid-to-upper 20s across much of the country by early next week. Transport Minister Steffen Bilger warned that low water levels on the Rhine are likely to persist throughout August.