In Austria and various other regions, July 10 is traditionally observed as a significant date for predicting the weather in the weeks ahead, much like the Seven Sleepers Day in June. A common folk saying states, “If Seven Brothers Day is a rainy day, it will go on raining for another seven weeks.” However, with little rainfall currently across Europe, the alternative saying, “If the seven brothers bask in the sun, seven weeks of bliss are to come,” appears more relevant to the prevailing conditions.
While the prospect of seven weeks of sun might sound like a blessing, the current intense heat is proving difficult for many, particularly those in the agricultural sector, as drought conditions are being felt in numerous locations. Many are looking toward the milder summer temperatures found in northern Germany with envy. The heat is also affecting animals; according to Swiss broadcaster SRF, cows begin to suffer from heat stress at 16 degrees Celsius, and pigs at 20 degrees. Stressed livestock eat less, leading to reduced milk and meat yields. In response, many Swiss farms have moved animals into cooler barns rather than pastures, and long-term strategies involve shifting toward heat-resistant breeds.
The religious roots of the day trace back to the Catholic feast day of the seven sons of Saint Felicitas. Tradition holds that the saint, a patron of women and mothers, was beheaded in Rome around 166 AD alongside her sons Alexander, Felix, Januarius, Martialis, Philippus, Silvanus, and Vitalis, after they refused to renounce their Christian faith.
Meteorological experts suggest the farmers’ rule may hold some truth due to the jet stream, located about 8 kilometers above Earth, which often settles into a stable position over central Europe between late June and early July. Weather expert Dominik Jung noted in the Frankfurter Rundschau that this pattern often dictates weather for several weeks, and current signs point toward sustained warmth as low-pressure systems from the Atlantic are pushed far to the north.
The German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts that while France will see the most intense heat, many regions in Germany will experience temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or higher. In the far south-west of Germany, temperatures could reach 35 to 36 degrees. The Kachelmannwetter service confirmed these heatwave conditions extend to Switzerland and Freiburg im Breisgau. Although the air is expected to be less humid than the heatwave at the end of June, the DWD warns of severe heat stress, particularly in urban areas and the south-west, where warm nights exacerbate the situation.
Temperature forecasts for Friday include 33°C in Zurich and 34°C in Geneva, with potential thunderstorms following, while Vienna is expected to remain just below the 30°C threshold.
