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Hitzealarm
/ˈhɪt͡səʔaˌlaʁm/
heat warning
Der Deutsche Wetterdienst hat für morgen einen Hitzealarm ausgerufen.
The German Weather Service has issued a heat warning for tomorrow.
formal
A public warning issued by meteorological authorities about dangerously high temperatures expected in a region.
Bei Hitzealarm sollten ältere Menschen viel trinken und sich nicht in der Sonne aufhalten.
During a heat warning, elderly people should drink plenty of water and avoid staying in the sun.
Die Stadtwerke warnen vor Stromausfällen wegen des Hitzealarms.
The city utilities are warning of power outages due to the heat warning.
Hitzealarm is typically issued when temperatures exceed 35°C (95°F) for multiple days or when extreme heat poses health risks.
Collocations
Hitzealarm auslösento trigger a heat warningHitzealarm gilt fürheat warning applies toHitzealarm warnen vorto warn of a heat warning
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Remembering the term
Think of 'Hitze' (heat) + 'Alarm' (alarm) as a 'heat alarm' that warns you to stay hydrated and cool.
Gold Rule
Usage context
Hitzealarm is used for official warnings, not casual conversations. In everyday speech, Germans might say 'Es ist sehr heiß!' (It's very hot!) instead.
Word Origin
Compound of 'Hitze' (heat, from Middle High German 'hitze') and 'Alarm' (alarm, from Italian 'allarme', ultimately from Arabic 'al-ʿalarm'). First attested in German in the late 20th century as temperatures rose due to climate change.
Usage Notes
Hitzealarm is a compound noun formed like other weather alerts (e.g., 'Sturmwarnung' for storm warning). It is gendered masculine in German ('der Hitzealarm'). The term is commonly used in official weather service announcements and media reports during summer heatwaves.
Word Breakdown
Hitze
heat
rootAlarm
alarm/warning
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch