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WEATHER

Extreme weather advisory as thunderstorms to hit southern Germany

After strong storms caused streets and cellars to flood in Lower Saxony and Hesse on Sunday, German meteorologists have warned of an extreme weather watch as more thunderstorms and heavy rain are predicted for the southwest of the country on Monday.

Extreme weather advisory as thunderstorms to hit southern Germany
A flooded street in Hesse on Sunday. Photo: DPA

Around noon, the storm from the northeast will start making its way down to the southwest toward Baden-Württemberg, bringing with it hail and heavy rain throughout the day and into the evening, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

Rain will continuously fall in the Alps and at the western edge of the mountainous range, while temperatures will hover between 15C and 25C.

Meanwhile the north and the centre of the country will be sunny and dry on Monday, with temperatures climbing to summer-like highs of between 25C and 29C in some areas.

Localized thunderstorms are predicted for the rest of the week at least until Thursday, reports the DWD.

Due to the severe weather on Sunday, the emergency services were out on dozens of calls in cities and towns across Lower Saxony and Hesse.

In Osnabrück, basements filled up with water and street were flooded. The rail route between Osnabrück and Oldenburg was temporarily closed down due to fallen trees on the tracks.

The third day of a music festival in the town of Aurich was moreover cancelled due to the bad weather. According to a police spokeswoman, 5,000 visitors left the site within an hour due to the area being completely full of water.

Lightning, thunder and heavy rain also meant that firefighters had their work cut out. A lightning strike is likely what caused a house in Wirdum, East Frisia to catch fire. The family of four living inside were able to escape unharmed, though firefighters spent three hours putting out the flames.

In Hesse, rescue workers in the Vogelsberg district near Fulda were busy dealing with flooded roads and cellars as well as mud slipping down hillsides.

There were no casualties after a car was carried away by floods and thrown against the wall of a house in Feldatal.

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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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