Cool interiors, preferably no jogging before going to bed: Older people and people with previous illnesses in particular should take good care of themselves these days. The ozone values also increase with the temperatures.
The downside of summer: Even without exceeding limit values, Andreas Matzarakis, head of the Center for Medical Meteorological Research of the German Weather Service (DWD), currently sees an “unpleasant weather cocktail” in terms of health. The ozone levels in Germany are often high, even if they are below the warning or alarm levels, Matzarakis told the German Press Agency. “We’re seeing the first heat wave across Germany, even if it only lasts two or three days in some areas. And there’s a lot of humidity.”
According to the DWD forecast, the maximum values are to rise to up to 35 degrees in the southeast today, and temperatures of around 24 degrees will be reached in the west. Only on the coasts it stays a little cooler.
The warm and humid temperatures are particularly stressful for the elderly and people with previous illnesses and are perceived as uncomfortable, said the expert. Even without the so-called tropical nights, when the thermometer does not drop below 20 degrees, sleeping in heated interiors can be problematic. “It’s important to keep the interiors cool, to keep the sun out,” Matzarakis said. Darkening the apartment and airing it out in the cooler hours can help. Even jogging before going to bed is currently not recommended. Instead, cooling is good, such as “showering lukewarm and not too long”.