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Weather: Storm to strike Germany over three-day weekend

At the upcoming three-day weekend, outdoor dining is reopening in large parts of the country. But there’s one factor that could still get in the way of plans: the weather.

Weather: Storm to strike Germany over three-day weekend
Storm clouds were already spotted in Munich on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel

Wet and windy weather is expected around the Bundesrepublik thanks to the weather front “Marco”, according to the German Weather Service (DWD) on Thursday. 

The storm, which hails all the way from the British Isles, is traveling up through north Germany on its way to Denmark and Scandinavia. 

And its making itself known: On Friday, when outdoor dining reopens in much of the country including Berlin, Bavaria and Saxony, Germany will see gusts of wind of up to 60 and 70 kilometres per hour, especially in the west and northwest of the country.

In Hamburg and Munich, temperatures will hover around 16C with rain, while they will be sunnier in Frankfurt (18C) and Berlin (20C).

Saturday will start out cloudy, but also be peppered with sun in many parts of Germany. Then the clouds from the west will become denser, followed by a downpour of rain and, in some locations, thunderstorms.

Amid the damp weather, the mercury will reach 8 to 12C, but in the east that could pick up to 17C or 18C.

The outlook on Sunday is not much brighter: most of the country will be covered in clouds, bringing light rain and in some cases storms. The mercury will range between 11 and 17C. 

But on Monday, the national public holiday of Pfingsten (Pentecost), temperatures are expected to rise. The DWD predicts milder and largely dry weather with highs up to 23C, at least for a broad strip from the southwest to the east. 

READ ALSO: Which German holiday hotspots are opening up for Pentecost?

Warm air masses from eastern Europe could even bring temperatures between 25 and 30C to the eastern part of Germany.

In the southeast and northwest, however, clouds and showers or showery rain are expected.

Taking the mixed stormy and sunny weekend weather into account, DWD concluded that people in Germany should prepare for weekend temperatures that are neither too hot nor too cold.

“Turning off the heating is hardly worth it. Sandals and shorts can also remain in the closet. It is also advisable to secure loose objects or light plant pots in defence against Marco,” the DWD wrote in a weather report on Thursday.

Yet while outdoor diners may not be happy about seeing their tablecloths whisked away by a sudden strong wind, meteorologists are rejoicing about above-average rain that the month of May has brought to the Bundesrepublik. 

“Sufficient precipitation has fallen in most regions of Germany so far in May,” said forecaster Jacqueline Kernn. “In some cases, the measured rainfall amounts are also significantly above the long-term average. Nature is happy about this.”

For the past few summers, amid record hot and dry temperatures, Germany has experienced a drought which has led to forest fires and agricultural shortages, amid other consequences. 

READ ALSO: German farmers fear drought amid spate of forest fires

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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.

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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