There is a risk of storms with sometimes extremely heavy rain: Today’s Thursday is likely to be uncomfortable in parts of Germany. The German Weather Service (DWD) also expects an increased risk of tornadoes, especially in central Germany.
Two focal points in Germany can be identified, as a DWD expert said. On the one hand, thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected in the central and eastern parts of the country. The rains would fall in North Rhine-Westphalia and southern Rhineland-Palatinate in the morning, and then slowly move north-eastward to southern and eastern Lower Saxony over the course of the day.
Hailstones five to seven centimeters in size
On the other hand, there could be thunderstorm cells and hurricane gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour in the south and south-west of the republic. Hailstones of five to seven centimeters in size are also expected.
During the night, the risk of severe weather will decrease and the thunderstorms will move away, the expert said. So tomorrow there will only be isolated thunderstorms and otherwise it will be mostly dry. The focus of precipitation shifts to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg.
Already yesterday there were strong thunderstorms in parts of Germany. In the south of Baden-Württemberg, trees fell and strong winds covered roofs. In some cities in the south-west, there was also a temporary power outage due to damaged lines. Heavy rainfall and gusts of wind caused a great deal of damage and disruption in Swabia and Lower Bavaria. Fire brigades turned out.
High ozone levels, muggy and warm temperatures
In its forecast, the DWD spoke of a “severe thunderstorm situation” that would move over Germany today. It is associated with muggy, warm to hot subtropical air. The head of the DWD’s Center for Medical Meteorological Research, Andreas Matzarikis, spoke of an “unpleasant weather cocktail” in terms of health.
The ozone levels are often high in Germany, even if they are below the warning or alarm levels, said the head of the DWD’s Center for Medical Meteorological Research, Andreas Matzarikis. “We’re seeing the first heat wave across Germany, even if it only lasts two or three days in some areas. And there’s a lot of humidity.”
The warm and humid temperatures are particularly stressful for the elderly and people with previous illnesses and are perceived as uncomfortable, said the expert. Even without the so-called tropical nights, when the thermometer does not drop below 20 degrees, sleeping in heated interiors can be problematic. “It’s important to keep the interiors cool, to keep the sun out,” Matzarakis said. Darkening the apartment and airing it out in the cooler hours can help. Cooling is good, for example “lukewarm showers and don’t take too long”.
