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Europe swelters under heatwave

June 20, 2026

Across the continent, authorities were ramping up warnings of extreme weather. German forecasters said parts of the country needed to be on alert for thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain over the weekend.

https://p.dw.com/p/5FlUd

Germany is bracing for an extended heatwave as temperatures are forecast to climb to 38°C, with nationwide heat warnings issued by the German Meteorological Service. Scientists link the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme heat to human-made climate change, with Europe warming fast. Forecasters also warn of severe thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain, while “tropical nights” and rising heat stress pose growing risks to public health.
DW spoke with Andrea Pedot about the risks of extreme heat. Pedot is an epidemiologist and member of the Italian Red Cross, specializing in heatwaves.