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WEATHER

Flooding feared from thaw and rain

After weeks of freezing temperatures and snow across much of Germany, meteorologists are warning a brief thaw and steady rain could cause sporadic flooding in the coming days.

Published: 5 January 2011 15:35 CET
Flooding feared from thaw and rain
Photo: DPA

The low-pressure system “Benjamin” will bring warmer temperatures, but also lots of precipitation, the German Weather Service (DWD) said on Wednesday.

“The weekend will be considerably milder. In the west, one might even think of springtime – were it not for all the rain,” said the DWD’s Dorothea Paetzold.

The DWD warned the ensuing snowmelt could combine with the rain to swell waterways and cause flooding in regions such as the low-lying Harz mountains in the middle of the country.

Click here for The Local’s weather forecast.

Wednesday night could bring freezing rain and sleet to the west, making for treacherous driving conditions. Temperatures will range between -7 degrees Celsius in Bavaria to +2 along the Lower Rhine. The coasts and mountains could experience gusty winds.

Thursday will see steady rain across the entire country outside of the southern Alpine region. Eastern Bavaria will remain near the freezing mark, but western Germany will begin to thaw as temperatures climb up to 8 degrees in the west. Drivers particularly in the east should be aware of icy roads as rain hits the still frosty ground early in the day.

More rain is forecast for Friday, though the east and south of the Danube could have dry spells. Temperatures will range between 5 and 10 degrees. It will stay above freezing overnight, with light frost likely only at the extreme ends of the country in the far north and towards the Alps.

The weekend will remain rainy and mild with temperatures reaching a balmy 11 degrees in some regions along the Rhine.

The Local/DPA/mry

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WEATHER

More rain forecast as storms hit western Germany

Severe storms and heavy rain affected parts of Germany on Thursday, creating disruptions. More rain is forecast on Friday but weather warnings have been lifted.

Published: 3 May 2024 09:53 CEST
More rain forecast as storms hit western Germany

Major storms hit western Germany on Thursday, causing travel disruption and flooding. 

In parts of Baden-Württemberg, streets were flooded and rivers swelled. Bisingen, southwest of Tübingen, was particularly hard hit, with cellars and streets plunged under water.

Police said there was also traffic disruption. In Baden-Württemberg’s state capital Stuttgart, severe storms and lightning caused issues and some roads were closed.

A lightning strike in the Sigmaringen area resulted in a broken signal box on the railway line. According to Deutsche Bahn, no train journeys were possible in the region in the early evening with several delays and cancellations.

Other states were also affected.

There were around 300 relief operations in the Ahrweiler district in Rhineland-Palatinate, which was hit by the 2021 deadly flood disaster.

Police said no-on was injured, although basements and streets were flooded. The water levels of the Ahr were being closely monitored.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Silas Stein

In Trier, too, streets were flooded after heavy rain and there were hailstorms. The Koblenz police headquarters reported fallen trees. Significant property damage due to full cellars and flooded streets was also reported in some areas. 

Heavy showers also fell in Hesse, accompanied by thunder storms. In Frankfurt, according to the fire department, the heavy rain caused water to enter the Bethanien Hospital and even reach the intensive care unit of the clinic.

“We were able to contain the damage relatively quickly and prevent it from spreading,” said fire department spokesman Thorben Schemmel, adding that no patients were affected.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Eifel region was particularly affected, with reports of flooded streets after heavy rain and hailstorms.

North Rhine-Westphalia also saw storms late in the afternoon on Thursday. 

The German Weather Service (DWD) said it expected some heavy rain and hail in parts of the country on Friday – particularly in the west – and at the weekend but warnings of severe weather have been lifted. 

The DWD said there could still be one or two strong thunderstorms in the northeast on Friday. However, it will be a significantly quieter day compared to Thursday. Temperatures of up to 25C can be expected.

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