Meteorological historyDWD: June heatwave sets new standards
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Heat records in June have finally been confirmed by measuring technology: during the abnormal heat in this country, temperature records were set at more than 460 measuring stations.
An extraordinary heat wave in the second half of June in Germany and large parts of Europe has made meteorological history, experts say. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the heat wave set new statistical standards: historical or monthly records for maximum temperatures were recorded at 467 of 488 stations. There were also 339 records with the highest daily lows, according to DWD. More than half of all stations with a streak of at least 40 years set an all-time record for maximum daily temperature. In Germany, the heat wave lasted from June 18 to June 28. The 40 degree mark was exceeded several times. According to DWD, the German values have now been definitively verified using measuring technology.
Peak on the last weekend of June.
The heat wave in Germany peaked over the weekend of June 26-28, and the entire country was historically hot. The record temperature in Germany was recorded for two days in a row: 41.3 degrees Celsius in Saarbrücken-Burbach on June 26 and 41.8 degrees Celsius in Meckern-Drewitz on June 27. The record of 41.2 degrees, set since July 25, 2019, set in Duisburg-Baerle and Tönisvorst, was exceeded by an “impressive” 0.6 degrees.
A total of 54 weather stations reached or exceeded 40 degrees at least once during the hot weekend, which featured tropical nights and extremely high daytime averages, according to DWD. Daily averages, which are much more important in characterizing a heat wave, were well above the average in June, “further increasing the impact on people due to the lack of cooling at night.”
Daily means as in France or Spain.
“Specifically, when it comes to daily averages, Germany has now caught up with the daily averages previously observed in France or Spain and now faces very similar challenges in climate adaptation, especially in terms of heat protection,” the DWD report said.
Humidity as an additional load
Thus, the heat was supported by hot air from North Africa, bright sunshine and an unusually warm surface of the Mediterranean. In addition to the temperature extremes, DWD said the dew point of 27.8 degrees Celsius in Hameln-Hastenbeck, exceptionally high for Central Europe, highlighted the extreme humidity and associated heat stress.