Germany is expected to experience the warmest year on record since the start of systematic weather measurements in 1881, with two weeks still to go before the end of the year, the German Meteorological Service announced on Tuesday.

“The consequences of the further strengthening of global warming are hitting us with more frequent and intense weather extremes” said Tobias Fuchs, head of climate and environment at the German Meteorological Service, adding, “As a society and as individuals, we must much better protect our climate.”

The exact values for the federal states are not yet final, which the service will publish on December 30.