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STORM

IN PHOTOS: Powerful May storm ‘Eugen’ strikes western Germany

In the west and north of Germany, gusts of up to 140 km/h were measured around the country as the storm front dubbed 'Eugen' struck. 

Published: 4 May 2021 17:47 CEST
IN PHOTOS: Powerful May storm 'Eugen' strikes western Germany
A man covered up an asparagus field in Darmstadt, Hesse amid heavy winds on Tuesday. Photo: DPA

The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a storm warning, of either the highest level of red or second level of orange, around the country.

Severe gales up to 100 km/h struck lowland areas. On exposed mountain peaks, hurricane-like gusts ranging between 105 to 138 km/h were recorded.

In the west and northwest, there have also been thunderstorms with sleet or small hail, and winds of up to 80km per hour.

This map from DWD shows the German regions which were most affected by the storm, which was set to pass by Wednesday morning.

DWD also broke down the cities which recorded the highest wind speeds on Tuesday.

Here’s a look in photos of the impact the storm has had around the country.

Dark clouds drifted over a rapeseed field in Worringen, North Rhine-Westphalia, where there were winds of up to 100 km per hour. Photo below: picture alliance/dpa | Federico Gambarini

The poles from a destroyed coronavirus test centre were strewn in a car park in Bad Oeynhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Lino Mirgeler.

But the storm was not such a bad thing for the many kite surfers who took advantage of the strong winds at the Boddensee, in Friedrichshafen, Baden-Württemberg. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Felix Kästle

‘Sturm’ was the top trending tag on Twitter as many people posted their photos and videos of the ominously dark skies with fast moving clouds.

The winds were so strong that they brought down several trees, such as this one in Hanover. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte

In Berlin, which was not as heavily affected, cherry blossom trees looked extra dramatic against the grey sky. They alluded to the warm weather to follow everywhere in Germany over the next few days, bringing temperatures of up to 28C by Sunday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jörg Carstensen

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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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