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Dark clouds in the sky over Stuttgart: Storm low Ylenia brings rain and strong wind
Photo: Bernd Weißbrod / dpa
Two hurricanes in rapid succession have resulted in severe weather warnings in many parts of Germany.
There is a risk of a storm surge on the North Sea.
According to the forecasts, the wind is expected to pick up strongly on Wednesday evening, and in some cases it could reach hurricane strength.
Why the severe weather warning?
The German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach issued a severe weather warning for Wednesday evening to Thursday evening, mainly for the northern half of the country.
"It starts in the northwest and then moves southeast to about the middle of Germany," said DWD meteorologist Adrian Lyser.
Hurricane gusts with a speed of up to 120 kilometers per hour are possible.
In some regions - for example in the Harz Mountains - the forecasts went even further.
According to the DWD, the wind from low "Ylenia" will slowly decrease from Thursday afternoon.
However, the breather should only be brief.
The next hurricane low – called “Zeynep” – is expected to come from the British Isles as early as Friday afternoon.
The forecast is still quite uncertain, but from the evening and into the night of Saturday in some regions of Germany "it should get down to business again with hurricane-like gusts and hurricane gusts".
According to the DWD, the northern half in particular will probably be affected again.
But the forecasts are not entirely certain: "The models still have very different simulations," said press spokesman and meteorologist Andreas Friedrich.
The weather situation is very dynamic.
What dangers are there?
In many places, the authorities warn against entering parks and forests, for example in the megacities of Berlin and Hamburg.
Fire brigades are on increased alert nationwide and are preparing for numerous storm operations.
The authorities are also taking precautions in southern Germany.
North Sea coast: storm surge feared
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) warns of the danger of a storm surge on the North Sea coast in the night from Wednesday to Thursday.
On the North Frisian coast and in the Weser and Elbe area, the flood will be one to 1.5 meters higher than normal, as the BSH announced.
In the Hamburg Elbe area, it reaches values that are 1.5 to two meters higher than the average high water.
The storm surge danger exists until around 5 a.m. on Thursday morning.
The Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei announced that the trips between Schlüttsiel in North Friesland and the Halligen will not take place on Thursday.
On the North Sea coast, one speaks of a storm surge when the flood water is at least 1.5 meters higher than normal.
Berlin and Brandenburg: hurricane in the capital
A hurricane is also expected in the capital.
Wind and gusts of wind were sweeping across Berlin and Brandenburg on Wednesday.
Wind speeds between 80 and 110 km/h are expected to be reached here in the evening.
The official severe weather warning is initially valid until Thursday, 6 p.m.
The Mitte district of Berlin warned “expressly and urgently” against entering parks on Wednesday and Thursday because of rotten trees.
For security reasons, the zoo and animal park in Berlin will close on Thursday.
Be careful under trees
Meteorologists called for closing windows and doors, securing outdoor objects and keeping your distance from buildings, trees, scaffolding and high-voltage lines.
In general, you should avoid spending time outdoors, explained the DWD in Offenbach.
In Thuringia, among other places, warnings were also given against forest walks.
Do the children have to go to school?
Because of the storm warnings, a state-wide lesson was ordered for
North Rhine-Westphalia
on Thursday.
This was announced by School Minister Yvonne Gebauer (FDP) on Wednesday in the Düsseldorf state parliament.
Family Minister Joachim Stamp (FDP) also appealed to all parents to look after their children at home on Thursday instead of sending them to daycare or day care.
The Ministry of Education in
Saarland
is exempting school attendance for the next two days.
"In extreme weather conditions, the legal guardians decide in the morning whether the way to school is reasonable for their children," the ministry said.
Adult students decide for themselves. Those who stay away from class must notify the school.
There is also no compulsory attendance on Thursday in the schools in Rhineland-Palatinate, Brandenburg, Schleswig-Holstein and parts of Lower Saxony.
Does the train run?
As a precautionary measure, Deutsche Bahn warned of possible route closures and train cancellations on Wednesday.
The company said the effects of the storm on rail traffic are possible nationwide.
For the period Thursday/Friday, goodwill regulations would apply to the validity of long-distance tickets already purchased.
More flexible use over several days or free cancellation is possible.
The railway advised to find out about possible delays or train cancellations.
Didn't we just have a bad storm?
At the end of January, the storm "Nadia" swept through northern and eastern Germany with dangerous gusts, causing millions in damage.
In Beelitz, Brandenburg, a pedestrian died because a large election poster was blown over and fell on him.
About a week later, the foothills of storm "Roxana" swept over parts of Germany.
According to the DWD meteorologist Andreas Friedrich, the expected storms are comparable to low "Nadia" in terms of wind peaks.
From his point of view, however, the current situation is more explosive, “because we have a chain of storm lows”.
ptz/dpa/AFP