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WEATHER

Arctic storm bringing widespread snow Friday

A stormy Arctic cold front is expected to sweep across Germany over the weekend, bringing snow, frost and below-freezing temperatures from north to south by Friday, the German Weather Service (DWD) said on Wednesday.

Published: 19 November 2008 19:14 CET
Arctic storm bringing widespread snow Friday
Photo: DPA

“This wintry scenario may be the most spectacular weather event since the windstorm ‘Kyrill’ in January 2007,” said DWD meteorologist Andreas Friedrich in Offenbach. Reaching wind speeds of 225 kilometers per hour, last year’s windstorm “Kyrill” took 47 lives in central Europe and caused millions of euros in damage.

Heavy rains are forecasted for Thursday, sweeping from northern Germany all the way south as the day progresses. With strong west winds expected, the highest temperature estimates for Thursday lie between 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southeast and 11 degrees in the northwest.

Meteorologists predict the upcoming cold front will first hit the Baltic Sea coast with snow showers Friday morning, making its way to the northern edge of the central mountainous regions by noon. Up to 15 centimetres of snow are possible in higher elevations. Meanwhile heavy rain showers are predicted Friday in central and southern Germany. Snowfall from the middle mountainous regions is expected to reach the Alps by evening, but this time, the lowlands will also get a dusting.

Friday temperatures in the northeast will reach 5 degrees; while temperatures in the west and south temperatures from zero to three degrees Celsius are forecasted.

Break out the box of hats and gloves for some snowy fun with the kids this weekend, because the DWD predicts snow showers will spread out on Friday night into Saturday morning. Temperatures will drop again, ranging from 0 to -5 degrees Celsius. Saturday skies will remain cloudy, with further snow and hail showers. The highest temperature estimates range from -2 degrees in southern Bavaria and 4 degrees in the Emsland region of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Click here for The Local’s weather forecast.

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.

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