Severe Heat and Storm Warnings Hit Baden-Württemberg on August 4, 2026

Baden-Württemberg is confronting a day of extreme weather on August 4, 2026, as temperatures soar up to 38 degrees Celsius followed by warnings of severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail.

According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the morning begins with humid conditions and intense heat ranging from 30 to 38 degrees Celsius. Later in the day, a significant weather shift is expected. Thunderstorms could bring heavy rain up to 40 liters per square meter within an hour and hailstones approximately three centimeters in size. These conditions are likely to cause flash flooding, especially in basements and underpasses, posing risks to residents across the state. Rain is anticipated to start in the mountainous regions during the afternoon and spread statewide by evening, lasting until midnight. The primary hazard stems from heavy rainfall volumes rather than strong winds, with southern Baden possibly experiencing light rain beyond midnight.

On Wednesday, weather conditions will cool slightly to between 28 and 35 degrees Celsius. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be mostly confined to the southeast, with reduced rainfall amounts of 20 to 25 liters per square meter. The remainder of the region will enjoy more sunshine, though humidity will remain high. By Thursday, sunny skies are forecasted with temperatures easing to between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius.

Besides the weather, other concerns have emerged in the state. An unknown virus was detected on about 100 cattle farms; however, the illness is reported as mild and non-fatal. Child welfare cases have reached a record high, up by 92% since 2017. Politically, SPD co-state chair Isabel Cademartori criticized her party’s recent election results and called for stronger opposition efforts. A new second-hand store opening in Freiburg aims to promote sustainability with around 120,000 items collected over two years.

Residents are advised to prepare for the extreme heat in the first half of the day and the severe thunderstorms expected later. Precautions against flooding and hail damage are necessary, particularly in vulnerable low-lying areas.

"There is nationwide storm risk across Baden-Württemberg today," a DWD spokesperson stated, emphasizing the importance of vigilance. "The main concern is the volume of water, which can lead to flooded basements and underpasses."