Germany’s Heatwave Set to Peak at 37°C: Companies Told to Draft Workplace Safety Plans
15.06.2026 - 17:08:02 | boerse-global.de
A ridge of high pressure is funnelling subtropical air from Spain into central Europe, and meteorologists predict temperatures will reach 37 degrees Celsius in parts of Germany by the weekend. The German Weather Service (DWD) has described the upcoming phase as exceptional, warning that record-breaking values are possible. The most extreme heat is expected in the southwest — along the Upper Rhine, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg — where thermometers could already climb to 33°C on Thursday.
Tropical nights are on the cards for major cities including Frankfurt, Mannheim and Stuttgart, where overnight lows will not dip below 20°C, depriving residents of any nocturnal relief. According to European weather services, the probability of an above-average warm summer in 2026 stands at roughly 80 percent. Germany has already warmed by 2.5 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial times.
For anyone working outdoors, the situation demands urgent precautions. Hydration and sun protection are essential. Certain foods can also support the body’s thermoregulation: coconut water, which is 95 percent water and rich in potassium, helps maintain electrolyte balance; lemon water with a pinch of salt or sugar replenishes lost minerals; and light meals such as mung-bean porridge or winter-melon soup are considered particularly digestible during hot spells. The DWD cautions that these dietary tips are no substitute for scheduled rest breaks and protection from direct sunlight.
For employers with outdoor workers, managing heat stress goes beyond rest breaks – it requires a documented risk assessment that covers both the hazard and the control measures. A free toolkit with 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists helps you comply with your safety obligations and protect your team during extreme heat. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Before the heatwave fully takes hold, western Germany will see unsettled weather on Tuesday with showers and thunderstorms that may bring localised heavy rain and hail. From Friday onwards, the air will grow increasingly humid, raising the physical strain on the body and the risk of severe heat thunderstorms. The north of the country will stay much cooler, with highs of just 19 to 24°C. Meanwhile, parts of Spain and France will simultaneously experience temperatures up to 40°C, and locally in southern Spain the mercury could reach 42°C.
The extreme conditions mean that heat-action plans are no longer optional for employers. German companies with staff working outside must now put clear protective measures in place — the current weather outlook leaves no room for delay.
