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STORM

Germany braces for violent storms and extreme winds

Storm Sabine is forecast to hit Germany at the end of the weekend bringing with it high winds and rain.

Published: 7 February 2020 11:56 CET
Updated: 7 February 2020 15:51 CET
Germany braces for violent storms and extreme winds
High waters on a stormy day in Schleswig-Holstein in January. Photo: DPA

On Sunday forecasters predict heavy showers, gale-force winds and thunderstorms. There might also be some hailstones and localized flooding.

In a statement, the German Weather Service (DWD) said the weekend would be fairly calm from a meteorological point of view, but “from Sunday onwards the tone will change significantly, as a nationwide, partly severe storm situation is likely”.

Forecasters said the strong gusts will be felt in the northwest of Germany as early as Sunday morning, particularly in areas at the North Sea coast.

The storm will then spread to the north and centre of the country. And on Sunday night, the south of Germany will also be affected.

DWD posted this graphic which shows where the strongest winds are expected (areas in red on the map).

According to forecasters, the wind will continue to increase and heavy gusts are likely in some areas.

“With a cold front moving simultaneously from northwest to southeast, gale-force gusts of over 105 km/h and hurricane-speed gusts are also possible at times,” said the weather service.

Some weather experts predicted wind speeds of more than 120km/h.

Rescue workers at the scene of a fallen tree in Stuttgart on Tuesday. Photo: DPA

Meanwhile, the storm will likely continue throughout Monday until the early hours of Tuesday.

DWD tweeted a warning on Thursday to say that the storm coming from the Norway area was due to arrive in Germany from Sunday.

The weather will likely cause disruption to public transport and commuters are warned to allow more time to get to work on Monday.

Rail operator Deutsche Bahn said it was ready for any extreme weather and preparations would “naturally be in full swing”.

“Technicians and staff are in stand-by mode so that in the event of a disruption, train traffic can resume as quickly as possible,” the spokeswoman said.

However, meteorologist Bernd Hussing, based in Essen, said it was hard to predict the severity of the storm and winds.

“How strong it will be is still a bit uncertain,” he told German newspaper, RP Online. 

It came after torrential rain mixed with strong winds caused widespread disruption in southern and western Germany earlier this week.

READ ALSO: Fact check – is winter actually coming to Germany this year?
 

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WEATHER

More disruption expected as severe storms lash Germany

From travel disruption due to flooding to lightning and extreme heat, Germany is being hit by a series of summer storms - with more expected this weekend.

Published: 28 June 2024 11:11 CEST
More disruption expected as severe storms lash Germany

The weather in Germany so far this June has been extreme. 

And that trend is expected to continue this weekend as more heavy storms – and even the possibility of tornadoes – are expected. 

The German Weather Service (DWD) has warned of a tornado risk in southern and northern Baden on Saturday evening. Temperatures could reach up to 35C in this region in the run up to forecasted storms.  

According to a DWD spokesperson on Friday, extreme thunderstorms are expected to move in this direction from France. They are forecast to bring hailstones up to five centimetres in size, gale-force gusts and heavy rainfall of 30 to 50 litres per square metre in just a few hours.

People heading to fan zones for Euro 2024 across the country are being urged to check before traveling, in case areas are closed due to the weather. 

Travel disruption, lightning strikes and flooding

Storms on Thursday night already caused problems across the country. 

From Bavaria to Hamburg, and North-Rhine Westphalia to Thuringia – there was heavy rainfall as well as thunder and lightning. 

The railway line between Bremen and Hamburg was closed for several hours. According to Deutsche Bahn, long-distance trains were diverted via Hanover and several regional trains were cancelled. The line has since been reopened, at least to a limited extent, but delays should still be expected.

Stormy weather in Pförring, Bavaria on Thursday.

Stormy weather in Pförring, Bavaria on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/NEWS5 | Ferdinand Merzbac

Long-distance trains are being diverted via Hanover without stopping. “Some IC/ICE trains are cancelled between Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia,” said Deutsche Bahn. 

According to Hamburg fire and rescue teams, there were more than 700 call-outs by early evening. In addition to flooding, emergency services had to deal with uprooted trees and fallen branches.

READ ALSO: Germany braces for heat, humidity and thunderstorms

Streets were also submerged in water. 

The DWD on Thursday issued severe weather warnings, including for lightning strikes. In Gernrode in Saxony-Anhalt, a lightning strike destroyed the chimney of a detached house, while in Unterpörlitz in Thuringia a roof truss caught fire after being struck by lightning.

Up to 100 litres of rain per square metre fell within a short time during a heavy storm in Detmold in North Rhine-Westphalia. According to a statement from the city, a thunderstorm cell unloaded with tremendous force over the north-east of the city.

In comparison: in North Rhine-Westphalia, there was an average of 91 litres of rain per square metre in the entire month of April – and that was around 50 percent more precipitation than in average years. Nobody was reported harmed in the storm.

In Dresden two supermarket employees were reportedly taken to hospital after a lightning strike hit a store in the Klotzsche district. The woman and man, both 50-years-old, complained of headaches, malaise and nausea, the fire and rescue service said. The store was evacuated. 

The storm in Dresden flooded streets and brought down trees. As well as Klotzche, the districts of, Hellerau, Wilschdorf and Löbtau were particularly affected. 

Heavy thunderstorms also kept firefighters busy in parts of Thuringia, where roads were closed. In Gerthausen in south-west Thuringia, the fire brigade was also deployed to pump water out of cellars.

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