Extreme heat wave meets Cologne: DWD warns of thunderstorms and storm!

Extreme heat wave meets Cologne: DWD warns of thunderstorms and storm!

Köln, Deutschland - The summer heat has a firm grip on Germany, and Cologne is no exception. According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger the residents of the city are currently fighting up to 40 degrees. This unbearable heat should reach its climax on Wednesday and represents an extraordinary challenge for health, especially for older people and other groups in need of protection. The night does not cool down, which also tightens the situation.

The German Weather Service (DWD) issued an official warning of extreme heat, which is to apply on Wednesday between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The warning affects almost all of North Rhine-Westphalia, with the exception of some parts of the Sauerland and the Bergisches Land. This heat wave is already the fourth in a row, and experts point out that such extreme events are becoming increasingly common. A connection with the climate change is obvious, since the DWD recently reported that many temperature records in Germany are considered normal today.

severe weather warnings and falling temperature

But after the extreme heat wave, storms are also announced. The DWD announces thunderstorms with heavy rain and violent gusts of wind for the afternoon. In some regions below Cologne, rainy amounts of 20 to 40 liters per square meter are expected, even up to 60 liters locally. In addition, hail with diameters of 2 to 4 cm and wind speeds of up to 130 km/h could cause considerable damage. The population is warned that there are high dangers due to falling trees or falling roof tiles. A stay outdoors are strongly discouraged.

In Cologne itself, the violent thunderstorm is expected from around 6 p.m. But the weather shows a different face on Thursday: the temperatures will fall by more than 10 degrees and will only be 25 degrees. After a few showers, it should then get dry again, and the thermometer could climb again next weekend towards 30 degrees.

long -term effects of climate change

The current capricious weather are just one aspect of the comprehensive effects of the Klimawwandels in Germany. Heat waves, floods and droughts are becoming increasingly common, which affects not only the health of citizens, but also agriculture and other branches of the economy. Experts warn that this affects vulnerable groups in large cities that are disproportionately impaired by lower pleasant temperatures.

Agriculture suffers from the increasing more extreme weather events, which often lead to flood or water shortages. This not only affects the income, but also on the availability of water in the region. Tobias Fuchs, member of the DWD management, therefore demands quick action in climate protection, since every avoidable tenth degree of warming is decisive.

People in Cologne are therefore asked to adapt to the upcoming captive of weather and to adapt to the challenges of climate change. Close cooperation between politics, science and society is necessary to develop effective measures and to minimize the negative effects.