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Thunderstorms to sweep Germany from Munich to Berlin on Thursday

The sunny weather on Wednesday is set to turn grey by Thursday as German forecasters predict thunderstorms across most of the country.

Published: 19 July 2017 11:35 CEST

Thunderstorms to sweep Germany from Munich to Berlin on Thursday

File photo of lightning over Munich: DPA.

While Germany is experiencing sunshine and mild temperatures in the mid-20s on Wednesday, the picture for Thursday looks much wetter with storms set to rumble in, from Munich to Berlin and up to Hamburg, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

Rain is already predicted to start falling in the west around Hanover and Bremen, as well as in the east around Dresden by Wednesday night. The DWD warns that the north, central and eastern parts of the country should be prepared for heavy rains and potential hail.

But at least it will be warm rains falling, with highs of 26C set for Munich, and up to 30C in Berlin.

By Friday morning, the skies should be at least partially sunny again throughout most of Germany, though storms are forecast again for Friday evening around Stuttgart and in northern Bavaria.

Saturday is also currently predicted to be rainy and stormy, though also warm, across the country, including in Cologne, Stuttgart, Hanover and Berlin.

The initial predictions for Sunday are also not looking too cheery: DWD forecasts more rain and thunderstorms from south to north then as well.

DWD forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday:

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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