Supercells on Tuesday: Strong thunderstorms bring cooling

2026-07-13

Germany's intense heatwave is expected to end as powerful thunderstorms move in, bringing heavy rain, hail and strong winds while forcing the country's "heat dome" to retreat.

Meteorologists say temperatures will continue rising through the middle of the week, with parts of western and southwestern Germany expected to reach up to 40–41°C. The hottest conditions are forecast along the **Oberrhein (Upper Rhine)**, where prolonged extreme heat will increase health risks and place additional stress on vulnerable people.

The weather pattern is expected to change dramatically from Thursday onward. As cooler Atlantic air pushes into Germany, the stagnant high-pressure system responsible for trapping the heat will weaken, creating ideal conditions for severe thunderstorms to develop across several regions.

Forecasters warn that the storms could bring torrential rain, damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and hail. The first outbreaks are likely to form in western Germany before spreading eastward, with temperatures in affected areas dropping by more than 10 degrees in a short period after the storms pass.

Although the incoming storms will provide relief from the extreme heat, meteorologists caution that the weather could remain unsettled for several days. While western Germany is expected to cool first, eastern parts of the country may continue experiencing very hot conditions before the cooler air gradually spreads nationwide.