Summer 2026 in Germany ends with high heat stress and rising health risks

The health consequences of this persistent heat were reflected in emergency rooms and intensive care units. The medical director of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI), Uwe Janssens, said that hospitals had treated a noticeably higher number of severe cases during the peak periods of the heat waves. "Laut dem medizinischen Geschäftsführer der Deutschen Interdisziplinären Vereinigung für Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin (DIVI), Uwe Janssens, würden viele Fälle nicht als hitzebedingt erfasst, weil auf Totenscheinen etwa Organversagen stehe." Janssens thus pointed to a central difficulty in recording heat-related deaths.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) routinely evaluates data on heat exposure and mortality. The RKI also recorded an increased burden in the summer of 2026, particularly among elderly people and persons with pre-existing conditions. Precise nationwide figures on heat-related deaths are not yet available, as the evaluation of death certificates and reports takes time.

Health consequences and unreported cases

In the southwestern federal states such as Baden-Württemberg and in the western regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the heat stress was particularly pronounced according to the DWD. Along the Rhine and in metropolitan areas, stations recorded high values sometimes lasting weeks, because heat accumulates more strongly in densely built-up areas than in wooded regions.

In addition to the immediate health burden, experts point to secondary effects on infrastructure. In several cities, heat waves led to restrictions in rail services, as tracks and switches deformed in the extreme heat. Agriculture also reported losses, as low rainfall reduced harvest yields in some regions.

Impacts on infrastructure and agriculture

The political debate over climate change adaptation measures has intensified further as a result of summer 2026. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had already called for measures to better protect vulnerable groups at the beginning of the heat wave and pointed to the need to consistently implement municipal heat protection plans. The discussion on nationwide standards for heat warning systems, cool public spaces and the maintenance of heat-adapted buildings continues.

Climate researchers point out that hot summers will become more frequent in the coming decades if greenhouse gas emissions do not fall significantly. They therefore call for the expansion of early warning systems, more greening in cities and better public education about behaviour on hot days. Gernot Schütz of the DWD emphasised that especially older and chronically ill people as well as infants are particularly at risk.

Outlook: Lingering risks and climate impacts

For the coming days, the DWD did announce a change in temperature, but the risk of so-called lingering effects remains. Medical professionals observe that the number of severe cardiovascular and kidney diseases continues to rise for several days after the end of a heat wave. Experts therefore advise not abandoning precautionary measures prematurely even when temperatures drop.