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STORM

IN PHOTOS: Powerful May storm ‘Eugen’ strikes western Germany

In the west and north of Germany, gusts of up to 140 km/h were measured around the country as the storm front dubbed 'Eugen' struck. 

Published: 4 May 2021 17:47 CEST
IN PHOTOS: Powerful May storm 'Eugen' strikes western Germany
A man covered up an asparagus field in Darmstadt, Hesse amid heavy winds on Tuesday. Photo: DPA

The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a storm warning, of either the highest level of red or second level of orange, around the country.

Severe gales up to 100 km/h struck lowland areas. On exposed mountain peaks, hurricane-like gusts ranging between 105 to 138 km/h were recorded.

In the west and northwest, there have also been thunderstorms with sleet or small hail, and winds of up to 80km per hour.

This map from DWD shows the German regions which were most affected by the storm, which was set to pass by Wednesday morning.

DWD also broke down the cities which recorded the highest wind speeds on Tuesday.

Here’s a look in photos of the impact the storm has had around the country.

Dark clouds drifted over a rapeseed field in Worringen, North Rhine-Westphalia, where there were winds of up to 100 km per hour. Photo below: picture alliance/dpa | Federico Gambarini

The poles from a destroyed coronavirus test centre were strewn in a car park in Bad Oeynhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Lino Mirgeler.

But the storm was not such a bad thing for the many kite surfers who took advantage of the strong winds at the Boddensee, in Friedrichshafen, Baden-Württemberg. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Felix Kästle

‘Sturm’ was the top trending tag on Twitter as many people posted their photos and videos of the ominously dark skies with fast moving clouds.

The winds were so strong that they brought down several trees, such as this one in Hanover. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte

In Berlin, which was not as heavily affected, cherry blossom trees looked extra dramatic against the grey sky. They alluded to the warm weather to follow everywhere in Germany over the next few days, bringing temperatures of up to 28C by Sunday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jörg Carstensen

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WEATHER

Winter weather returns to Germany after spring heat spell

Temperatures in Germany almost hit 30C in the last few weeks. But winter-like weather is well and truly back - and ski slopes are even re-opening in some areas.

Published: 19 April 2024 12:42 CEST
Winter weather returns to Germany after spring heat spell

Many people in Germany will have already packed away their winter clothes as spring has seen high temperatures and lots of sun.

But a cosy hoody and jacket will be needed again.

According to the German Weather Service (DWD), a blast of polar air has been moving in bringing ice, rain and sleet that is turning to snow, particularly at higher altitudes. 

Those who want to take advantage of the winter weather can even get back on the slopes. Many ski resorts had to close early for the season – but a few are reopening. 

On Friday, the ski lift at Kandel in the Emmendingen district (Baden-Württemberg) opens for floodlit skiing from 6pm. to 10pm. If the snow remains, the lifts will also operate at the weekend from 9am to 5pm.

Meanwhile, the lift at Seebuck (Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district) is operating on Saturday from 1pm to 5pm.

‘Aprilschmuddelwetter’

Lower-lying spots have also seen hailstones and snow showers. People in Munich dealt with a flurry of snow on Thursday as temperatures fell. High temperatures ranged from 4C in Oberallgäu to 12C in Lower Franconia.

In a post on X, the DWD described it as Aprilschmuddelwetter – Schmuddelwetter translates to “mucky” or “foul weather” and is often used in Germany in spring when there’s lots of rain.

The DWD said: “April foul weather on Friday: Widespread rain, snow in high mountain areas. In the afternoon, partly heavy sleet showers from the north-west, isolated thunderstorms. In addition, stormy winds in places. Temperatures will barely reach double figures.”

The DWD shared a photo with tulips poking out from the snow in Neuhaus am Rennweg in Thuringia and said it was symbolic of the current weather situation.

The low pressure system moving in from the North Sea was bringing more widespread rain, thunderstorms and hail on Friday. 

In Berlin temperatures hovered around 7C on Friday during the day with continuous rain. It was around 5C in Erfurt and 8C in Kiel. 

In western Germany, it was slightly less cool with temperatures reaching 10C – but torrential rain was forecast. 

Changeable weather with showers was forecast on Saturday, while some sunshine in the north and east of Germany was expected on Sunday. 

At night, there is a risk of frost, ice and freezing rain in the coming days in spots where the temperature drops.

This comes after a series of storms and strong winds lashed the country earlier this week.

READ ALSO: Storms and high winds hit Germany

Just a few days before that, Germany was bathed in sunshine as temperatures climbed up to nearly 30C.

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