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STORM

Hurricane force storm brings flood threat to north Germany

On Wednesday the north of Germany is set to be hit by torrential rain and hurricane force winds, as the low pressure "Axel" moves in.

Hurricane force storm brings flood threat to north Germany
Walkers at the Baltic coast town of Graal-Müritz. Photo: DPA

The first sign of troubles to come will be winds reaching up to 110 km/h blowing across the north of the country.

The weathermen are also warning of the possibility of flooding on the Baltic Sea coast on Wednesday evening.

The government’s maritime office (BSH) said that sea levels could rise to 1.50 metres above normal, or higher.

Ines Perlet from the BSH said that if water levels rise over 1.50 metres above normal, serious flooding would ensue due to the fact that sea levels in the Baltic are already 30cm to 40cm higher than average.

Also on the North Sea, coastal tides are set to be unusually high. At the mouth of the River Elbe, tides will be 1.50 metres higher than normal on Wednesday morning.

Source: DWD

“Some people might ask themselves why moderate winds could bring about such high water levels,” said Jürgen Holfort from the BSH, explaining that even a mild storm could cause flooding in the current conditions.

The last time there was extensive flooding on the Baltic Sea coast was on November 1st 2006. Before that there was severe flooding in the winter of 2002.

The low pressure coming in from the north is also set to bring heavy snowfall to Germany’s mountainous regions. The Ore Mountains in eastern central Germany could be covered by 30cm of fresh powder on Wednesday.

The German Weather Service (DWD) is also predicting further snowfall across the east and south of the country on Wednesday, with Dresden, Munich and Stuttgart all set to be blanketed in more of the white stuff.

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WEATHER

Spring to arrive in Germany with temperatures of up to 21C

The moment many people around Germany have been waiting for is almost here: as of Thursday, temperatures are expected to crack the 20C mark and stay warm through the start of spring.

Spring to arrive in Germany with temperatures of up to 21C

Whether it’s the pink cherry blossom trees which have started to bloom, lighter evenings or people walking around with ice cream cones, the signs of springs have already started to show around Germany in March.

Now the weather is also catching up: following rain storms on Wednesday, the mercury is expected to reach at least 20C in many parts of the Bundesrepublik on Thursday. 

READ ALSO: Seven signs that Spring has arrived in Germany

First there’s some damper news: On Wednesday, Germany – in particular the southwest – is expected to be hit by the storms. In the Black Forest, 30 to 40 litres per square metre will fall by midday, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

In the Alps, light snowfall will set in above 1,000 to 1,200 metres, with fresh snowfall of around five centimetres expected. 

The rain will ease by the following morning, but it will remain cloudy.

Up to 21C on Thursday

On Thursday, after the morning the fog disappears, people can look forward to a sunny and dry day – especially in the south and western parts of Germany. 

Temperatures will rise to a pleasant 14 to 21C degrees, with the highest values on the Upper Rhine. 

In mountainous areas and by the sea, it will remain somewhat cooler at 10C to 14C. 

Friday will be characterised by changeable weather: there will be sunny spells as well as rain showers, which will spread from the west and may be heavy in places – including thunderstorms. 

Temperatures will be between 14C and 18C degrees, and in the Lausitz region in eastern Germany it could even reach a warm 20 degrees.

Warmer weeks

While this Sunday could still see some single digit temperatures in northern parts of Germany – such as 9C in Berlin and Hamburg – the coming week is set to experience continually warmer weather, remaining at 14C and higher. 

The first day of spring officially begins this year with the Spring Equinox on March 19th. The days will become even lighter in Germany after Daylight Savings Time, which this year takes place in the early hours of Easter Sunday, or March 31st.

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Germany in March 2024

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