A sharp heatwave is set to engulf western Germany and Belgium from Tuesday, pushing temperatures close to 40°C by late week after a mild, overcast start to the week.
Monday brought cloud cover and scattered showers across Hesse, with highs of 23–28°C, while North Rhine-Westphalia saw similar conditions with peaks of 22–25°C. In Belgium, Monday remained mostly cloudy with possible showers in the east and north, and maxima between 19°C and 25°C.
Conditions turn hot from Tuesday, with Hesse reaching 33°C and North Rhine-Westphalia climbing to 31°C. By Thursday, the Rhine-Main area could see up to 39°C alongside possible afternoon thunderstorms. Belgium's heat warning plan has been activated for Wednesday and Thursday as temperatures are expected to comfortably exceed 30°C on both days.