The German Weather Service (DWD) has warned of extreme storms for Saarland and parts south of Rhineland-Palatinate. The DWD announced on Friday that heavy, continuous rain can be expected from Friday morning until Saturday night, especially in the areas west of the Rhine. Amounts of between 30 and 50 liters per square meter are expected here in 12 to 24 hours; in some areas up to 70 liters per square meter can also fall.
“Extremely heavy, continuous rain” can be expected in Saarland and southern Rhineland-Palatinate. In some locations, up to 100 liters per square meter can fall in 12 to 15 hours. The State Office for Environmental and Occupational Safety warned of floods in Saarland due to continuous rain on Friday night. There is a significant risk of flooding on the smaller Saar tributaries on Friday, it said. Flooding of agricultural and forestry areas or low-lying buildings and cellars is to be expected.
The DWD also warns of heavy rain for southern Hesse; between 30 and 50 liters per square meter could fall in 12 to 24 hours. From the Odenwald to Bergstrasse it can locally be 40 to 70 liters per square meter.
There is currently a so-called omega weather situation over Europe, explained DWD meteorologist Christian Herold on Tuesday. This is characterized by a strong high flanked by areas of low pressure. “The high-altitude current, normally running from west to east, is diverted around this high and thus takes the shape of the Greek letter Omega (Ω), which gives this weather pattern its name,” said the meteorologist. “Such omega weather conditions are usually very stable, so there will be no significant changes for the time being.”
The interactive map below shows where there is currently lightning, thunder and rain. You can also view the forecast for a later date using the timeline at the bottom of the graphic. At the top right, the level displayed can also be changed to, for example, rain or snow.
The service is provided by Windy.com. The makers use the model from the “European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts” for their representations and forecasts.
The map above shows rainfall in real time. It is provided by the Wetter.de portal, which, like stern, belongs to RTL Deutschland.
The map above shows the DWD’s thunderstorm warnings for today. It is a binary weather map, i.e. places for which there is a thunderstorm warning are colored red. No coloring means no warning.
The best protection in the event of a storm is a solid building or, alternatively, a closed car. In buildings without lightning protection for power and supply lines, the plugs of electrical devices should be unplugged during thunderstorms
In the great outdoors, walkers or cyclists should crouch down in depressions, sunken paths, under rocky outcrops or reinforced concrete bridges, hug their legs and lower their heads. The distance to other people or bicycles should be at least one meter. Metal objects such as tools or sports equipment should also be as far away as possible.
The saying “You should avoid oaks, you should look for beeches” is wrong. Tall, free-standing trees should generally be avoided, as should poles or fences. Even in the forest, walkers should crouch down and protect themselves. The danger is generally lower in the middle of many trees than in open areas. Staying in the water is absolutely taboo
If less than 30 seconds pass between lightning and thunder, the thunderstorm is still around ten kilometers away, i.e. very close. Then it is advisable to seek protection. The danger is only averted 30 minutes after the last thunder and lightning
Sources: DWD, agencies
