Germany faces heat wave, cooling device shortage and severe thunderstorms

Temperatures across Germany have repeatedly topped 30 °C, with the German Weather Service (DWD) warning of tropical nights and a shift to early‑autumn conditions. A deep‑layer low pressure system is spawning strong thunderstorms, hail up to five centimetres, gusts reaching 100 km/h and isolated tornado risks, especially over the southwest and the north‑east. The DWD has issued orange‑level alerts for hail, heavy rain (up to 50 l/m²) and strong winds in several states, with localized damage reported from the Bodensee region and Bavaria.

The extreme heat has sparked a surge in demand for cooling devices. Retail chains such as Hornbach, Bauhaus, MediaMarktSaturn, Euronics and others report that fans and mobile air‑conditioning units are largely sold out, with no new shipments expected for the rest of the summer. Some stores expect restocks only in autumn. Consumers are turning to more expensive split‑system air conditioners, but installation capacity is constrained, leading to waiting times of several months.

Regional authorities, including in North Rhine‑Westphalia, are debating funding for air‑conditioning in schools, hospitals and care homes to protect vulnerable groups. The combined impact of the heat, equipment shortages and severe weather poses significant challenges for public health and retail supply chains.