Germany April heatwave
A startling Germany April heatwave has taken meteorologists by surprise, with parts of the country hitting nearly 29°C—more than Lisbon or Palma. Mid-April is bringing record warmth to the East, raising serious climate concerns and highlighting stark East-West weather contrasts.
Germany April Heatwave Brings Unseasonal Highs in the East
Unusually high temperatures are forecast for Wednesday (April 16) and Maundy Thursday (April 17), with eastern regions such as Lausitz expected to hit up to 29°C. That’s warmer than many Mediterranean tourist hotspots. Meteorologist Dominik Jung described the numbers as “shockingly high for April,” adding that they mirror conditions more typical of peak summer.
Though driven partly by temporary atmospheric conditions, Jung stressed that these patterns increasingly align with the broader effects of global climate change. The East enjoys uninterrupted sunshine, while cloud cover and rainfall dominate western Germany. Overnight lows will also show a clear contrast—mild in the East (13–14°C) and quite cold in the western highlands (around 4°C).
Sharp Weather Divide: Heat in the East, Chill in the West
Thursday will bring more of the same: summer-like warmth in the East and gloom in the West. Regions like Saxony, Brandenburg, and Lausitz could see highs pushing 29°C, under mostly clear skies. Meanwhile, western areas are expected to struggle with overcast skies and rain, with temperatures maxing out between 9 and 14°C.
Afternoon showers are possible in the East, but the risk remains low. Wind conditions will be light overall, except near the Alps, where Föhn winds could become noticeable. The night into Good Friday should stay dry and slightly cloudy in the East, while the West continues to experience showers and lows around 3–5°C.
Good Friday Cools Slightly—But Germany April Heatwave Hangs On
By Good Friday (April 18), temperatures will ease a bit, though the Germany April heatwave is far from over—especially in the East. Highs there are still expected to reach around 22°C, which is well above average for this time of year. Western Germany, including areas like the Eifel and the North Sea coast, may barely hit 10°C.
As the day progresses, more cloud cover and rainfall are forecast, particularly in the East. Isolated thunderstorms could also develop. Despite the cooling trend, experts say these prolonged warm spells in early spring are becoming more frequent—and are a strong indicator of changing climate patterns.
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