BERLIN: A heatwave sweeping Europe was starting to peak in Germany on Thursday, with several open-air events canceled and temperatures expected to top 40C through the weekend. Large parts of the country are already under “severe to extreme heat stress” with temperatures soaring to around 37C, the German Weather Service (DWD) said. In an unprecedented step, rail operator Deutsche Bahn warned customers to avoid travel and said it would refund any tickets booked up to June 30 due to a high risk of disruption from wildfires, heavy summer rain and thunderstorms.

Extreme heat warnings are in force across Germany this week, with temperatures expected to climb to around 40C on Friday.

Der Deutsche Wetterdienst warnt vor teils extremer Wärmebelastung. Veranstaltungen werden vorsorglich abgesagt, die Deutsche Bahn bietet kostenfreie Stornierungen an. Die Lage im…

Europe is grappling with a severe heatwave, with Germany recording a new record temperature of 41.3°C. This sweltering weather, linked to numerous deaths, is moving east after…

Europe is grappling with a severe heatwave, with tens of millions facing extreme temperatures. Forecasters warn of record-breaking heat as the phenomenon moves east, prompting red…