27.06.2026 13:13
The extreme heat wave scorching Europe has brought life in Germany to a standstill. In the country, where thermometers are expected to exceed 41 degrees Celsius, major marathons and football matches have been canceled due to record temperatures. With water extraction from rivers banned, highway asphalt has cracked from the heat, and the forest fire alert has been raised to the highest level.
The extreme heatwave affecting Europe has brought life in Germany to a standstill. As thermometers are expected to exceed 41 degrees Celsius, major marathons and football matches have been canceled, water extraction from rivers has been banned, and highway asphalt has cracked due to the heat.
The intense heatwave intensifying across Europe has paralyzed daily life and social events in Germany. The German Meteorological Office (DWD) has issued a nationwide heat warning, announcing that temperatures will reach record levels in the coming days. While authorities warn the public of concrete health risks, many states have canceled planned outdoor events one after another for the weekend.
MAJOR MARATHON CANCELED, FOOTBALL MATCHES ADJUSTED FOR HEAT
Due to the extreme heat, the sports world has also had to take strict measures. The traditional Hamburg Half Marathon, scheduled for June 28 and expected to attract 24,000 athletes, has been completely canceled.
The Berlin Football Federation has decided to postpone the majority of amateur and professional matches scheduled for the weekend. The federation stated that only critical matches directly affecting championships, relegation, and promotion will be played, but these will be held in the early morning or late evening hours to protect athletes' health.
WATER EXTRACTION FROM RIVERS BANNED, ASPHALT CRACKED
Municipalities are taking radical steps against the risk of drought and excessive evaporation. Many city and town administrations have completely banned the extraction of water from streams, lakes, and rivers due to insufficient rainfall expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, on the A2 highway near the town of Burg in Saxony-Anhalt state, asphalt has cracked due to excessive expansion, posing a danger to drivers.
BERLIN HEALTH MINISTRY: 40 DEGREES IS A CONCRETE HEALTH RISK
The Berlin State Health Ministry issued a written emergency warning stating that temperatures will exceed 40 degrees Celsius. The statement emphasized that temperatures at this level pose a "concrete health risk" for people with chronic illnesses, the elderly, those in need of care, pregnant women, children, and those who must work outdoors. Citizens were urged to avoid strenuous activities, drink plenty of water, and stay in cool places.
HOTTEST NIGHT IN HISTORY RECORDED: RECORD TIED
According to DWD data, the town of Bad Bergzabern in Rhineland-Palatinate state experienced the hottest night ever recorded in Germany since measurements began, tying a historic record. The temperature in the town did not drop below 26.2 degrees Celsius throughout the night. The previous record, with the same temperature, was recorded on Mount Weinbiet. Experts predict that temperatures could locally exceed 41 degrees Celsius by the weekend, potentially challenging the historic record of 42.2 degrees Celsius set in 2019.
LEVEL 5 ALERT FOR FOREST FIRES
The extreme heat and drought have also maximized the risk of forest fires. The Meteorological Office announced that until June 28, the fire risk will rise to level 4 in the southern and southwestern parts of the country, and to level 5—the highest level—regionally in the area from the Palatinate region to the Franconian region, as well as in the eastern states, calling on citizens to be cautious in forested areas.