Temperatures forecast to reach 40C in Germany and Poland this weekend

Temperatures are forecast to rise in parts of central and northern Europe this weekend as the current heatwave continues. In Germany and Poland, highs of up to or exceeding 40C are expected on both Saturday and Sunday. Days earlier, swathes of France experienced similar extreme temperatures.

The Austrian Grand Prix, taking place this weekend in Spielberg, has declared a heat hazard, the first race to do so this season. Temperatures are expected to rise into the low 30s Celsius during the race, almost 10C warmer than usual for the venue.

Thunderstorms and tornado reported Across Europe, the intense heat has led to severe thunderstorms. In the Sverdlovsk region of central Russia, a strong tornado was reported on the evening of 22 June. Rated a 3 out of 5 on the international Fujita scale, the twister injured 16 people and destroyed or damaged about 100 homes and businesses in the town of Kushva.

Emergency services have been working on restoring power to the town. Storm warnings remain in effect in the southern part of the country on Friday.

Heavy rainfall in China In parts of China, thunderstorms have brought extreme rainfall. The district of Zengcheng, near Guangzhou, recorded more than 100mm of rain in a three-hour period on Thursday evening, prompting warnings from the China Meteorological Administration.

These storms come during south China’s Meiyu, or plum rain, season, occurring in June and July in the region as part of the country’s wider rainy season from May to September.