Heat and storms grip Germany as temperatures hit 38 degrees
Germany faces another day of extreme heat with temperatures up to 38 degrees and thunderstorms sweeping east, disrupting rail travel and deepening the strain on farmers already battling drought, heavy rain and late frost.
Germany faces extreme heat on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, with temperatures between 24 and 38 degrees Celsius. The Deutscher Wetterdienst has issued heat warnings for central and southern regions, while showers and thunderstorms are expected to move from west to east, locally bringing hail, heavy rain and storm-force gusts.
Widespread heat returned to Germany on Monday, 3 August 2026, with temperatures climbing as high as 38 degrees and isolated thunderstorms breaking out, after a more moderately warm weekend. The heat is set to continue into Tuesday. Many areas are expected to start the day dry and warm before showers and thunderstorms sweep in from the west, crossing central Germany toward the east as the day goes on. According to forecasters, the storms could locally bring hail, heavy rain and storm-force gusts, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 38 degrees Celsius. The Deutscher Wetterdienst has issued a heat warning covering mainly central and southern Germany, where there is a local risk of severe weather. The extremes are already having consequences. Fallen trees from severe weather forced the closure of railway sections, as reported on 4 August 2026. Beyond the immediate disruption, the pattern of heat, drought, heavy rain and late frost is putting pressure on German farmers, who are adapting with new crop varieties and changed cultivation practices as climate-driven swings become harder to manage.
Heat returns to Germany after a milder weekend
Widespread heat returned to Germany on Monday, 3 August 2026, ending a more moderately warm weekend. Temperatures climbed to peaks of up to 38 degrees, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms in some areas.
The hot spell came after an uncomfortable night for many. According to forecasters, parts of the country experienced a tropical night before Monday's heat set in, with temperatures failing to drop sufficiently to offer relief.
The return of extreme warmth marks a sharp shift from the milder conditions seen over the weekend, when temperatures stayed at more moderate levels across much of the country. The heat is concentrated particularly in central and southern regions, where the Deutscher Wetterdienst has warned of locally severe weather risks alongside the high temperatures.
Monday, 3 August 2026
Tuesday (expected weather)
Tuesday (storm hazards)
Tuesday (sun and cloud mix)
Tuesday (forecast temperatures)
Tuesday (humid conditions)
Tuesday (DWD heat warning)
Tuesday (preceded by tropical night)
Reported on 4 August 2026 (rail closures)
Bavaria overnight outlook
Tuesday forecast: storms sweeping in from the west
Tuesday is expected to begin dry and warm in many places before showers and thunderstorms move in from the west, tracking across central Germany toward the east as the day goes on.
According to forecasts carried by German media, temperatures will range from 24 to 38 degrees Celsius, with conditions described as humid and muggy alongside the heat. Reports suggest the day will bring a mix of sun and clouds, with longer sunny periods especially in the southeastern half of the country. The hot Tuesday follows a tropical night in parts of Germany, forecasters said.
The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) has issued a heat warning that mainly affects regions in central and southern Germany, where there is a local risk of severe weather, according to reports. In Bavaria, showers and thunderstorms were expected to decrease overnight, with lows between 10 and 18 degrees and partly longer sunny spells the following day, Bayerischer Rundfunk reported.
Storm hazards and rail disruption
The storms carry more than just rain. Forecasters warn they could locally bring hail, heavy rain and storm-force gusts, raising the risk of damage as they move across the country.
The danger has already become visible on the railways. Fallen trees brought down by severe weather forced the closure of railway sections in Germany, according to reports on 4 August 2026. Which sections were affected, and how long the closures lasted, has not been specified.
The combination of hazards underlines the volatile conditions. A day of extreme heat is feeding storms capable of toppling trees and disrupting transport, with the rail closures offering an early sign of the disruption such weather can cause.
What the extremes mean for farmers and food supply
The current heat is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather bearing down on German agriculture. Farmers across the country are contending not only with heat but with drought, heavy rain and late frost, a combination that is forcing changes in how food is grown. In response, producers are turning to adapted crop varieties and entirely new crops, drawing on modern breeding methods and altering their cultivation practices to cope with shifting conditions.
The pressures extend well beyond Germany. The climate phenomena El Niño and La Niña drive extreme weather events around the world, with consequences for harvests far beyond any single country. So far, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have not halted the global food supply, despite both regions' importance to it. But the margin for error is narrow. A strong weather phenomenon such as El Niño could multiply the risks to that supply, compounding the strain that conflict and climate already place on global food production.
Frequently asked questions
What will the weather be like in Germany tomorrow?
Tuesday is expected to start dry and warm in many parts of Germany before showers and thunderstorms move in from the west, crossing central Germany toward the east during the day. According to forecasts, temperatures will range from 24 to 38 degrees Celsius, with a mix of sun and clouds and longer sunny periods especially in the southeastern half of the country. Conditions are expected to feel humid and muggy.
How hot will it get in Germany on Tuesday?
Forecasts put Tuesday's temperatures between 24 and 38 degrees Celsius. The hot day follows a tropical night in parts of the country, according to reports, and comes after Monday, 3 August 2026, brought widespread heat with peaks of up to 38 degrees. Which specific regions or cities will reach the 38-degree peak has not been identified.
Are there weather warnings in Germany?
Yes. According to the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), a heat warning is in place mainly for regions in central and southern Germany, with a local risk of severe weather. Reports suggest Tuesday's storms could locally bring hail, heavy rain and storm-force gusts as showers and thunderstorms move from the west across the country toward the east.
Has the stormy weather disrupted trains in Germany?
Yes. Fallen trees caused by severe weather led to closures of railway sections in Germany, as reported on 4 August 2026. Which specific railway sections were closed, and for how long, has not been specified. Whether Tuesday's storms caused further damage or casualties has not been reported.
How is the extreme weather affecting German farmers?
Extreme weather including heat, drought, heavy rain and late frost is affecting farmers in Germany. They are responding with adapted crop varieties, new crops, modern breeding methods and changed cultivation practices. Globally, phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña drive extreme weather, and a strong El Niño could multiply risks to the world food supply, though the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have so far not halted it.
Compiled from reporting by 9 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
