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WEATHER

Weekend set to remain wet, introducing a few days of autumn

After a brief respite of summery weather early this week, Germany is approaching another stormy, wet weekend - followed by a sharp drop in temperatures come Monday.

Published: 5 August 2011 14:33 CEST
Weekend set to remain wet, introducing a few days of autumn
Photo: DPA

The weekend’s continued showers and humid air conditions can be attributed to Rene, a low-pressure system which is slowly moving across the North Sea towards Sweden, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

In north-east Germany, the clouds and rain edging in on Friday will turn into showers and thunderstorms at night with subsequent fog. North-western Germany will stay dry during the day but can also expect thunderstorms to build up later on Friday night.

On Saturday, changing cloud cover, scattered showers and periodic thunder may turn into serious storms, particularly in the western half of Germany. The coastal regions, however, as well as Schleswig-Holstein and southern Bavaria will experience less rainfall while seeing more sunshine break through.

Although it will be wet, “the temperatures, however, will remain at mostly summer-like levels,” said DWD meteorologist Andreas Friedrich.

Highs will reach 20 to 23 degrees in the North and North-east, and 24 to 27 degrees in the East and South-east. Rain and thunderstorms will continue into the night, slowly clearing up from the West into Sunday morning.

But Sunday will still be wet, with the DWD predicting continuing showers and even downpours throughout the day. In addition, temperatures will start to sink, with highs from 20 to 24 degrees in the East. The South will remain rainy and cool, with highs not managing to clear 20 degrees.

Click here for The Local’s weather forecast.

“A slight autumn feeling will settle into Germany as of Monday,” Friedrich said.

With overreaching cloudy skies, rain showers are practically a given, Friedrich said. Thunderstorms may also return, while temperatures will remain mostly under 20 degrees.

Strong, cool winds from the south west will contribute to the autumnal conditions, and will be particularly notable on the coast and in the mountains.

The clouds should stick around overnight Monday, causing Tuesday’s temperatures to remain cool, with the best to be expected just 9 to 13 degrees. Beach holiday makers will enjoy the mildest temperatures, with expected highs of around 14 degrees.

Friedrich did offer a small ray of hope to counter the dreary conditions: “By the end of next week, weather forecast models are predicting a noticeable increase in temperatures. Maybe the next summer stretch will arrive just in time for the following weekend.”

The Local/emh

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BERLIN

Warning of toxic smoke after fire breaks out at Berlin factory

More than 180 firefighters wearing protective suits were on Friday tackling a major blaze at a metal technology firm in Berlin's Lichterfelde area as authorities warned of toxic smoke.

Published: 3 May 2024 16:35 CEST
Updated: 3 May 2024 18:08 CEST
Warning of toxic smoke after fire breaks out at Berlin factory

The blaze broke out in the first floor of metal technology factory ‘Diehl Metal Applications’ on the Stichkanal in Lichterfelde, south-west Berlin around 10:30 am.

On Friday afternoon, a fire brigade spokesperson said an area of over 2,000 square metres was on fire in the four-storey building.

As of 5 pm, the fire was reportedly still not under control.

According to the spokesman, the fire had spread to the roof, with parts of the building collapsing.

As the company also stores and processes chemicals in various quantities, there are concerns over harmful fumes in the smoke. 

“We can confirm that chemicals are also burning in the building,” said the fire service. “Sulphuric acid and copper cyanide were stored there. There is a risk of hydrogen cyanide forming and rising into the air with the smoke.”

Hydrogen cyanide is a highly toxic substance.

The Berlin state government said that residents “in the affected areas of the toxic fumes caused by the fire” were warned through the NINA warning app at midday.

People walk in the area near the fire in Berlin on Friday. Residents have been urged to stay inside and keep their windows closed.

People walk in the area near the fire in Berlin on Friday. Residents have been urged to stay inside and keep their windows closed. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christoph Soeder

The Berlin fire department also said on X that people in a large area of Berlin and the outskirts, shown on the map in this tweet, should keep their windows and doors closed, turn off air conditioning and avoid smoky areas. People have also been asked to avoid the area. It includes a large part of the Grunewald forest. 

In the immediate vicinity, hazardous substances had been measured. According to a fire and rescue spokesperson, no injuries have been reported. 

A spokesman for Diehl Metall, to which the plant belongs, said on request that the chemicals mentioned were also only kept in small quantities at the plant.

According to the Diehl spokesman, the location is used for electroplating parts for the automotive industry. The Diehl Group is a large arms company; however, no armaments were produced at the Berlin plant, Nitz said.

Emergency response authorities requested the help of the in-house fire brigade from the firm Bayer, which is familiar with fighting against chemical fires, Berlin newspaper Tagesspeigel reported. 

Which areas are most affected?

Pupils and teachers from nearby schools have been sent home as a precaution, while several shops around the site have closed. 

On Friday afternoon, a warning message popped up on many mobile phones with a shrill sound, according to which there is “extreme danger”.

“After evaluating the weather conditions and the corresponding wind direction, the flue gases move from the scene of the incident in a northerly direction,” the fire department told the German Press Agency (DPA).

Flames seen at the fire in Berlin's Lichterfelde on Friday.

Flames seen at the fire in Berlin’s Lichterfelde on Friday. Shops around the area closed. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christoph Soeder

According to the fire department spokesman, however, it was not initially clear at what distance the smoke could still be hazardous to health.

Parents of students at the Fichtenberg-Gymnasium in Steglitz received an e-mail stating that classes had been stopped and all students had been sent home. However, the local Abitur or end of school leaving exams continued with the windows closed.

Surrounding roads were closed while flames leapt into the sky, according to a DPA reporter on site.

A neighbouring supermarket was completely enveloped in white smoke. The surrounding area is a mixture of commercial area, allotments, housing estates and shopping centre. According to eyewitnesses, the smoke appeared to be heading north.

The fire department published a map on which the affected areas are marked. Parts of Spandau, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and Reinickendorf, among others, can be seen. People should avoid the affected area and drive around it as much as possible, the fire department suggested. Even if no smoke is visible, windows and doors should remain closed and ventilation and air conditioning systems should be switched off, it said.

In the immediate vicinity of the fire, the police made announcements with a megaphone and called on people to leave the streets, go home and keep windows closed.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established. 

With reporting by DPA, Paul Krantz and Rachel Loxton.

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