The last day of the heat wave in the east was Sunday’s high of 41.5 degrees in Bad Muskau.

Heat wave

Accessed: June 28, 2026, 10:52 p.m.

The peak of the current heat wave reached eastern Germany today. The highest reading on Sunday was 41.5 degrees in Bad Muskau, according to MDR. A new German temperature record of 41.7 degrees was set in eastern Brandenburg, the third in three days, according to the German Weather Service. Forest fires have been reported in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

from MDR ACTWELL

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The peak of the current heat wave moved east today and a new temperature record was set in Germany, with the German Weather Service (DWD) reporting a temperature of 41.7 degrees in Neissemünde in eastern Brandenburg this afternoon. According to the MDR meteorological studio in Bad Muskau, the hottest weather was in central Germany – 41.5 degrees – a new record in the history of Saxony. According to MDR, the warmest place in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday was Holzdorf in Wittenberg district with 40.6 degrees and Gerstenkorn in Thuringia with 39.1 degrees.

Cooler temperatures and thunderstorms are expected in central Germany on Monday, leading to a “cooler” spell at the start of the week back to below 30 degrees.

The hottest places in Central Germany have so far been mainly in Saxony-Anhalt. According to MDR data, a maximum of 41.6 degrees was set on Saturday in Sandersdorf-Bren, followed by Drewitz near Burg with 41.5 degrees according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

Sunday evening also set a new temperature record of 29.4 degrees in Kubschüz in East Saxony near Bautzen, according to DWD.

Rescue operation at a youth camp

At a weekend youth camp at a gravel pit in Eilenburg, around a dozen children and young people were due to receive medical treatment today before being taken to nearby hospitals.

According to previous reports, victims complained of heat-related circulatory problems. Emergency services were then notified, who treated the children and young people at the scene and began further measures. In this regard, the police began an investigation on suspicion of causing bodily harm by negligence. The investigation also aims to understand the circumstances and possible causes that led to health problems for children and young people.

Forest fires and burning smell in Leipzig

A forest fire broke out in the Harz Mountains between Treseburg and Winrode in Saxony-Anhalt, in a remote forest. Less than a year after the major forest fire of 2025, a fire occurred again in Gorisheide in the Meissen district of Saxony.

A fire was also reported in Thuringia – in Mumsdorf, owned by Meiselwitz in the Altenburger Land district. Due to heavy smoke and westerly winds, the smell reached Leipzig and the Leipziger Land region.

Leipzig: Tram traffic was also affected on Monday

In Leipzig, city trams stopped due to the heat. The transport company announced this afternoon that safe operation would not be possible on Monday. On Saturday, the softened casting compound hit the rails, switches and gears and glued them together.

Video | MLU FOR NOW

Tram service in Leipzig will be disrupted on Monday due to heat damage. Reporter Katya Stiler comments on this.

In Magdeburg, according to a local transport company, drivers’ air conditioning systems are increasingly breaking down. Chemnitzer Verkehrs-AG also reports problems with the air conditioning system and asks passengers to avoid unnecessary travel.

“Heat wave for the history books”

The current heat wave from southwestern Europe is unusual. See here from MDR WISSEN: 2026 is not a summer like any other. MDR meteorologist Jörg Heidermann also spoke on Thursday of a “heat wave for the history books.”

Video | MLU FOR NOW

MDR meteorologist Jörg Heidermann in the weather report for June 25.

A heat wave occurs when the outside temperature is 30 degrees or higher for several days, explains MDR meteorologist Jörg Heidermann.

Cold thunderstorms next week

At the beginning of the week, according to MDR meteorologist Heidermann, “this summer heat will end. And then it will be accompanied by strong and severe thunderstorms.”

Video | MLU FOR NOW

It gets a little cooler at night in central Germany. Showers and thunderstorms are expected in many places.

Forest fire danger: increasing trend

Prolonged heat and drought are increasing the risk of wildfires in many places in the east. The highest warning level 5 has been in effect since Friday in the entire north of Saxony-Anhalt, and now also in the northern districts of Saxony and in isolated cases in Thuringia.

Detailed warning maps for Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia as well as the current rules for the different danger levels can be found here:

Bahn offers free cancellation

For the first time, Deutsche Bahn is offering so-called “thermal goodwill” for the coming days. Accordingly, tickets for intercity transport can be canceled free of charge up to June 30 inclusive if they were purchased before June 23. High temperatures place stress on switches, control systems and other railway equipment. Back in the summer of 2025, switches malfunctioned during the heat, which led to train cancellations and delays.

2026 is not a summer like any other

Number The number of hot days with temperatures above 30 degrees was 4.5 days per year from 1963 to 1992 and doubled to 9.1 from 1993 to 2022, according to DWD. The record year so far is 2018 with more than 20 days. In Germany, the temperature of 40 degrees was exceeded only once in the 20th century – on July 27, 1983. In the 21st century, temperatures exceeded 40 degrees several times in 2003, 2015, 2019 and 2022 – in July and August. Without climate change, the current average temperature in Germany would be two degrees lower in many places. Sources: DVD, Statesman, Climatic meter

dpa, MDR AKTUELL (ksc/kkö)