In Greece and Spain, life has come to a standstill due to the extreme heat: tourist attractions are closed and people are fleeing to cooler places. It is also expected to be hot in Germany this weekend – with temperatures of up to 34 degrees.
A heat wave is currently sweeping across southeastern Europe. The record temperatures are affecting residents and holidaymakers alike.
Spain is experiencing the first really hot days of this summer with temperatures reaching up to 44 degrees. Temperatures of up to 42 degrees are expected for Zaragoza in the north-east of the country by Friday. It could be even hotter in Andalusia in the south.
In the cities of Seville and Córdoba, which lie in the Guadalquivir river valley, temperatures could reach 44 degrees, especially on Friday, warned the national weather service Aemet. Even at night, temperatures often do not fall below 20 degrees. Meteorologists then speak of tropical nights.
Increasing fire risk in Greece
In Greece, the heat is reaching new highs with local temperatures of 43 degrees. All archaeological sites will therefore close between noon and 5 p.m. local time, the Ministry of Culture announced. The Acropolis in Athens and the ancient site of Olympia are also affected by this measure.
The civil protection service in Greece also warned of a high risk of fire in many regions. The smallest fire could develop into a major fire due to the dry conditions and strong winds, said a fire service spokesman on Greek television. The situation is somewhat better on Crete and the islands of the Aegean. There, the sea breeze is cooling temperatures to around 35 degrees, the weather office said.
Heat also reaches Germany
It will also be hot in Germany this weekend. Temperatures between 26 and 32 degrees are expected on Friday. Saturday will bring highs of up to 34 degrees. In the afternoon there may be isolated thunderstorms from the Fichtel Mountains through the Bavarian Forest to the Alpine foothills, again with heavy rain and gusts of wind. In the evening the risk of thunderstorms will also increase in the west. Tropical nights are also expected, especially in the urban areas in the southwest and west. Temperatures will therefore not fall below 20 degrees.
On Sunday, temperatures will again reach 30 degrees, particularly in the east. Thunderstorms, some of them strong, will move from the west to the middle of Germany during the course of Sunday. There is a risk of severe weather in some areas. In the eastern half, however, it will be sunny and rain-free for a while longer.
