Heat will swathe large parts of Germany and the Alps through the weekend, depressing water levels in the Rhine and driving up energy demand for cooling in Europe’s biggest economy.
Temperatures will peak at 35C (95F) on Sunday in Frankfurt, almost 7C above normal, but it will remain higher than average through next week, according to Maxar Technologies Inc. The heat will also take hold of parts of the Netherlands and southwestern parts of Spain. The UK is forecast to stay cooler than usual through next week.
The scorching temperatures present a fresh challenge to German industry, as extreme weather generates large swings in power and gas prices. It can also impact the transport of oil products and other commodities along the Rhine River, which is already operating at about half of normal capacity as water levels drop.
Read more: Upper Rhine Can Only Handle Half-Full Barges as Water Levels Dip
Weather forecaster Deutscher Wetterdienst flagged the high temperatures set to dominate the country this weekend, warning of “tropical nights.” Last summer, a drought across parts of Europe and deadly heat waves dried up rivers, caused wildfires and stressed the region’s infrastructure.
