Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

WEATHER

Germany to see temperatures up to 30C following stormy week

After a stormy week in Germany, the mercury is set to spike on Saturday, possibly bringing record highs to the Bundesrepublik.

Published: 4 April 2024 12:01 CEST
Wismar
A woman takes a photo of cherry blossom trees in Wismar on Thursday during a break from the rain. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jens Büttner

At the weekend people in Germany can pack their heavy rain coats and boots away and replace them with summer sandals and attire.

But first, they can brace themselves for more grey skies and rainy weather: Thursday kicked off with heavy clouds, and thunderstorms and heavy showers are likely to develop in the afternoon with a maximum of 13 to 17C around the Bundesrepublik, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

DWD also warned of strong to stormy gusts – first in the mountains and then in the afternoon at lower altitudes. Stronger showers could even bring powerful wind squalls with speeds of up to 85 kilometres per hour. 

But the storms will gradually subside at night, according to DWD.

Friday is set to be clear yet cloudy with the mercury reaching a maximum of 19 to 23C. Thicker clouds will gather again in the afternoon. There could be light rain and isolated showers in places. 

Unusually warm weekend 

According to the DWD, it will be dry and unusually warm at the weekend. 

Saturday is set to be bright to sunny with the mercury climbing  to a maximum of 25 to 30C. Sahara dust – still present from the previous weekend – could cloud the sunshine somewhat.

READ ALSO: Saharan dust cloud hangs over Germany

According to DWD, the weather already marks an far-above average high, with typical temperatures usually ranging from 10 to 14C at the beginning of April.

Particularly warm air is moving in from western Germany, with southern Germany in particular set to sizzle. Freiburg could crack the 30C mark as could some parts of Bavaria, reported Weather.com.

“This has never happened before,” said meteorologist Michaela Koschak.

The previous record for high April temperatures was set in 2018, which could now be surpassed.

This February and March already marked the warmest months in Germany in recorded history. Last month saw an average temperature of 7.5C, or 4C higher than what was recorded in an international reference period.

According to the forecast, Sunday will only be slightly cooler with temperatures up to 26C and mostly clear skies. However, there could be showers in north-western Germany in the afternoon.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

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.

SHOW COMMENTS