Things are heating up in Germany. On Wednesday the northern regions won’t exceed 30 degrees Celsius. But the mercury may already hit 35 degrees in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.

"By Thursday, summer will really get underway across the country," says Marcus Beyer, a meteorologist with the German Meteorological Service. Some areas will see temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius. Friday and Saturday will see the hottest temperatures, mainly along the Rhine River at Germany's southwestern border.

"The Baltic region is the only part of the country that will stay comfortable," Beyer predicts. The coast will enjoy a light breeze and mild temperatures between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. It’s likely to stay hot in Germany until the middle of next week, when a cool front is expected to arrive from the north.

But the advent of summer is good news for children in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state. They’ll be starting their school holiday on Monday.

ot/ej/pw/ps (dpa, afp, wetter.com)