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WEATHER

Tropical storms predicted to sweep across Germany after heatwave

After a record-breaking run of uncharacteristically warm weather, the German Weather Service (DWD) has forecast that much of the country is set to be drenched in tropical rain.

Tropical storms predicted to sweep across Germany after heatwave
Marcel Kusch/ DPA

Storms are expected to sweep across Bavaria late on Thursday, with parts of Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt also affected. Heavy rainfall is predicted, along with high winds, thunder and lightening. The DWD has suggested the rain may not be limited to these regions however, as clouds form across the country. 

Berlin and its surrounds look set to be spared until at least the weekend, with the hot, humid nights likely to continue. The warm weather will also continue in parts of northern Bavaria, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt – with temperatures just shy of 40 degrees predicted in a number of towns in the region.

Germany along with most of Europe has been suffering under a record-breaking heatwave through much of July. The fire department were called to put out a wildfire near Potsdam which had threatened the evacuation of almost 3,000 residents in Fichtenwalde. 

In Berlin a century-old mark was broken as thermometers in the German capital reached 24.4C on Tuesday evening – the hottest night since record keeping began. Just north of Leipzig the mercury reached 28 degrees at its lowest point on Tuesday evening. 

While for some the rain might bring welcome relief – German farmers have been suffering under a prolonged drought and some areas of the country have reported drinking water shortages – overheated Germans might need to be careful what they wish for. 

Just over a year ago in early July, 2017, flooding caused by tropical rain brought Berlin to a halt, with roads closed and public transport affected.

SEE ALSO: Incredible satellite images show damaging effects of heatwave

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WEATHER

Severe weather warnings issued as Germany braces for more storms

Extreme weather warnings for heavy rainfall remain in place in parts of Germany on Friday following flooding in the south. There is also a chance of thunderstorms at the weekend.

Severe weather warnings issued as Germany braces for more storms

Severe weather is expected in the southwest of the country on Friday, with the heaviest rain expected in Saarbrücken, as well as the surrounding areas of Saarland and southern Rhineland-Palatinate.

In these areas Germany’s weather service (DWD) has level 4 warnings in place – meaning that the rain is expected to be extremely heavy (more than 40 litres per square metre in an hour, or 60 litres per square metre in 6 hours).

Slightly less severe, but still heavy continuous rain can also be expected in the surrounding regions, extending as far as Stuttgart and Mainz.

Speaking to Bild newspaper, Climatologist Dr. Karsten Brandt suggested that the heavy precipitation and thunderstorms will continue to move northwest, even into southern North-Rhine Westphalia (Aachen).

There are also wind warnings in parts of the country, with squalls expected on the Brocken and the Fichtelberg mountains, as well as in the Black Forest and in the Alps.

Currently, the highest wind warnings are in Dresden and southern Bavaria near the Alps.

Friday’s weather warnings come in the wake of chaotic weather that flooded Nuremberg and parts of Bavaria Thursday night, where many roads flooded. Cars were submerged in water and bus routes were cancelled.

A number of household cellars also flooded as well as a large underground car park at the Technical University.

READ ALSO: Record heat deaths and floods – How Germany is being hit by climate change

What will the weekend bring?

Beyond the area of severe weather warnings but not beyond the reach of the storm, Cologne will have some rain on Friday which may continue on through the weekend.

Germany’s northern and eastern regions have dodged the recent bout of storms so far, but in Berlin scattered thunderstorms can be expected to move in by Sunday afternoon. This may put a dampener on the Karneval der Kulturen parade. 

In Bremen and Hamburg, residents can expect some rain showers on Sunday and Monday, with a chance of thunderstorms as well.

In Munich and Nuremberg, it looks as if the worst is over. Some small showers may continue into Saturday, but Bavarian residents can look forward to a sunny Sunday ahead of the public holiday on Monday for Pentecost. 

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