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WEATHER

Northern German city of Kiel hit by tornado

Several people were injured on Wednesday evening after a waterspout tornado swept over the city of Kiel.

Published: 30 September 2021 16:58 CEST
A tornado seen in the distance over Kiel on Wednesday.
A tornado seen in the distance over Kiel on Wednesday. Photo: Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Philipp Brandl

According to police reports, several people were injured at the waterfront.

The tornado started on the outskirts of Kiel in the district of Meimersdorf. It then moved over the Kiellinie – a popular promenade on the shore – at around 6pm. Four people were seriously injured in the event, according to the fire brigade. Three others also suffered moderate injuries and several people were slightly hurt. 

Waterspouts occur when a tornado forms over oceans, rivers or lakes.

While trying to rescue two rowing boats from the water, several rowers were caught by surprise on a jetty, the fire and rescue service added.

“They got completely tangled up and people fell into the water in the process,” they said.

Some people were also injured by flying objects, the fire and rescue service added.

A total of 60 helpers were on the scene and the operation lasted about two hours.

According to a meteorologist, tornadoes are not unusual at this time of year – even in Germany. But they are difficult to predict. 

“Something like this is absolutely impossible to predict,” said Sebastian Wache, a meteorologist from Wetterwelt in Kiel, reported NTV.

“Based on pictures, we assume that it was a tornado,” said meteorologist Michael Bauditz of the German Weather Service (DWD).

According to the fire brigade, several roofs were also damaged in a new building area in Kiel-Meimersdorf. In Kiel-Gaarden.

The northern part of Germany was braced for more storms and heavy winds on Thursday. 

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WEATHER

‘Turbo spring’: Germany to see temperatures above 25C

Germany is set for a blast of warm weather in the coming week as the colder spell eases off.

Published: 26 April 2024 16:56 CEST
'Turbo spring': Germany to see temperatures above 25C

“The late winter weather of the past few days with frost and snow is a thing of the past for the time being, and spring will kick into turbo gear over the next few days,” said meteorologist Adrian Leyser from the German Weather Service (DWD) on Friday.

Temperatures are expected to rise sharply over the weekend with plenty of sunshine, forecasters said. In Germany anything above 25C is classed as a summer day. “The summer mark of 25C will be cracked regionally as early as Sunday,” said Leyser.

It comes as snow and hail hit Germany last week, and temperatures fell below freezing in some places.

But showers and thunderstorms are still possible in the west and north of Germany. Maximum temperatures there are expected to reach around 20C. 

According to the DWD, spring will get a little damper on Monday, with a few rain spells.  “However, the next low pressure system over Western Europe is preparing to turn on the warm air jet again from Tuesday,” said the meteorologist.

On Wednesday – which is a public holiday across Germany for International Workers’ Day – temperatures could soar nearer 30C. 

“In the south and east, we are even approaching the 30C mark,” said Leyser. However, the weather will remain “susceptible to disruption”, said Leyser, especially in the west where there is a risk of isolated and sometimes severe thunderstorms.

READ ALSO: What to do on May 1st in Germany

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