People who exercise should also be cautious: Whether they exercise outdoors or indoors, they are considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be among the groups vulnerable to climate-related health risks. Direct effects include heat-related risks, risks from extreme weather events, and UV radiation. Indirect effects include respiratory risks (from ozone, particulate matter, and pollen), risks of infection and poisoning—such as from ticks and mosquitoes, as well as waterborne infections—and mental health risks associated with sports. Further information is available from the German Olympic Sports Confederation online at www.dosb.de.
A heat stress warning is issued when the perceived temperature in the early afternoon reaches approximately 32 degrees Celsius or higher. For a warning to be issued, this threshold must be exceeded on at least two consecutive days. Another criterion for issuing a warning is the nighttime cooling. If the night remains too warm, sleep quality deteriorates. This additional strain makes it harder to cope with the heat during the day.
During heat waves, the German Weather Service strongly recommends drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding direct sunlight and physically strenuous activities, and keeping your home as cool as possible.
The German Weather Service provides up-to-date information on weather developments in the coming days online at www.hitzewarnungen.de.