Storm warning for Cologne: Heat wave hits lightly, danger remains!

Storm warning for Cologne: Heat wave hits lightly, danger remains!

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, the heat wave continued to flourish in Cologne and the rest of Germany. The German Weather Service (DWD) sounded the alarm bells at 2 p.m. and issued a severe weather warning. The Rhineland and Cologne were particularly affected, where severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, squalls and even hail were forecast. But luck in the weather seemed to have a good hand for Cologne: although there were strong squalls and a heavy rain shower, fortunately there were no fire brigade calls. A fallen tree in a park did not cause any significant problems.

Before the storm hit, Friday was at its best: with bright sunshine, temperatures in Cologne climbed to a pleasant 30 degrees. But the DWD's heat warning could not be overlooked and was valid from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Saturday. Older people and people in need of care were particularly at risk, as the extreme weather conditions had a significant impact on their health. The city of Cologne therefore put together some tips for hot days and set up a hotline on 0221-221-34347 to support citizens.

Severe weather and heat warnings

From the afternoon onwards, the risk of severe weather increased noticeably. The official severe weather warning was issued at 1:56 p.m. and was valid until 3 p.m. Ready weather forecasts predicted rainfall amounts of 30 to 40 liters per square meter, with gusts of wind that could reach up to 95 km/h, as well as hail with grain sizes of around 2 cm. The warning apps Nina and Katwarn also provided information about the impending storm damage at 2 p.m. Not only Cologne was affected, but also neighboring areas from Leverkusen to Euskirchen, with the risk of lightning strikes, falling trees and flooding.

Despite the upcoming thunderstorms, the fire department in Cologne was unable to report any storm-related operations. This shows that the city has gotten off lightly so far, even if uncertainty remains regarding further development. The DWD warned of a potential storm for Cologne and the Rhineland this week and emphasized the high potential for dangerous thunderstorm cells from Saturday afternoon.

Heat and its consequences

The heat stress represents not only a meteorological risk, but also a health risk. The DWD recommends paying attention to the heat warnings as they are issued for days when there are health risks. These warnings take various criteria into account, including temperature exposure both during the day and at night. Sensitive people, such as older people or those with underlying health conditions, should be particularly careful as the heat can pose a significant risk to their health.

According to that Federal Environment Agency In recent years, “hot days”, i.e. days with temperatures above 30 °C, as well as “tropical nights”, in which the temperature does not drop below 20 °C, have been on the rise. Studies show that these climate changes are not only increasing the number of hot days, but are also increasing health risks, especially in urban areas where the urban heat island effect is an additional problem.

A significant drop in temperature is expected in the coming days, with highs between 21 and 24 degrees on Sunday. But the weather service urges caution: There could be another thunderstorm with heavy rain overnight. So stay informed and adapt to the conditions!