Germany is bracing for severe thunderstorms and a possible new heatwave later this month, even as temperatures climb above 30 degrees Celsius across North Rhine-Westphalia in the coming days.
The southern half of the state faces storms with temperatures between 28°C and 32°C on Tuesday, before conditions turn dry and sunny with highs reaching 33°C on Wednesday and Thursday. Severe storms moving in from France on Thursday evening could bring a sharp cooldown, though a new heat bubble building over France may push temperatures back up by late July, according to meteorologist Jan Schenk's warning of a renewed heat risk.
In Berlin and Brandenburg, highs near 28°C on Tuesday accompany extreme storm warnings including hail and heavy rainfall in southern Brandenburg. Wildfire risk reaches level four out of five in several Brandenburg districts. The unsettled weekend follows earlier reporting of intense heat gripping parts of Sweden and Italy.