Stand: December 28, 2024, 2:03 p.m
Von: Dominik Jung
PressSplit
A temperature inversion caused by Hoch “Günther” is keeping Germany under control – and is causing dramatically poor air quality in the cities.
Frankfurt – Germany is currently experiencing a weather phenomenon that can have dramatic consequences: a temperature inversion causes temperatures at high altitudes to become pleasantly mild – while stuffy, polluted air prevails in the valleys and cities. Sounds harmless? But it’s not!
Air alarm in Germany: Why our weather is becoming a health hazard – “poisonous cloud”
Fine dust, exhaust gases and pollutants accumulate in the lower air layers. Without wind or rain, these dangerous particles stay right where we breathe. “High ‘Günther’ has given us an invisible but poisonous cloud that is making life a test for many people,” warns qualified meteorologist Dominik Jung from wetter.net.
wetter.net – the weather in a nutshell!
This article was created in a content partnership with wetter.net. wetter.net offers you everything you need to know about weather and climate. On our pages you will find worldwide city and location forecasts for the next 14 days, with a 1-hour time resolution for the first 7 days and a 3-hour time resolution for the following days. Weather forecasts, precipitation radar, measured values, weather warnings, Germany weather and weather news provide information about current developments as well as the coming hours and days.
Why is the air suddenly so bad? Weather expert explains temperature phenomenon
Normally pollutants rise with the warm air and are distributed or carried away by wind. But during a temperature inversion, exactly the opposite happens: cold air stays at the ground, warm air lies above it – like an invisible bell jar that holds everything underneath.
Exhaust gases from traffic and industry that would normally evaporate accumulate in cities. The result? Respiratory illnesses may worsen, especially in people with asthma, COPD, or sensitive lungs. Air quality quickly becomes a health risk for children and older people.
Air measurements put to the test: How bad is the toxic cloud really?
The air quality in German cities has reached alarming levels in recent days. Measuring stations in metropolitan areas such as Stuttgart, Munich and the Ruhr area report increased fine dust concentrations, some of which are well above the recommended limit values.
Particularly alarming: Nitrogen dioxide levels (NO₂), a pollutant that is primarily caused by diesel exhaust fumes, have also increased. Just a few hours in this polluted air can cause coughing, irritation and headaches. In the long term, however, there is a risk of even worse consequences, from chronic respiratory diseases to cardiovascular problems.
Even forests and green spaces hardly help: the invisible danger is everywhere
The fatal thing about a temperature inversion: It affects us all. Unlike smog, which can visibly hang over a city, poor air quality is often invisible. We breathe them in without immediately noticing it – but our body feels the strain. While it is a springlike 10 degrees in the upper air layers, the population in the cities is struggling with stuffy, cold air that hardly seems to contain any oxygen. Even the forests and green spaces hardly help because the pollutants simply cannot escape.
Weather phenomenon only determines the situation temporarily: How long will the airborne danger persist?
The good news: These dramatic conditions are only temporary. As soon as High “Günther” is replaced by a low pressure area, wind and rain come, which mix the air layers and distribute the pollutants. And on New Year’s Eve there will even be a hurricane heading towards Germany.
The bad news: Until then, people in the city in particular are on their own. Graduate meteorologist Dominik Jung advises avoiding outdoor exercise and keeping windows closed if possible. Anyone who can take a trip to the mountains should take advantage of the opportunity: the air up there is clear and fresh – a real relief for the troubled lungs.
