Weather danger in Germany: In these regions there is a risk of severe thunderstorms and gusts of wind

Created: 05/20/2022, 15:25

After a thunderstorm front moved over Germany on Thursday, severe storms are also expected to occur on Friday.

Tornadoes are even possible.

• Heavy storms raged in Germany on Thursday: trees fell and rail traffic was disrupted.

• Severe weather warning for NRW on Friday: Heavy rain, hail and also tornadoes and hurricane gusts must be expected.

• Flooding in the Ahr Valley possible: The district of Ahrweiler warns of severe storms.

• NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul: In view of the storm warning, special caution is necessary

+++ 3:15 p.m .:

The German Weather Service issued official severe weather warnings for the south-western areas of North Rhine-Westphalia – a strip from Aachen to Essen.

There could be severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, in some parts also with heavy heavy rain with more than 60 liters per square meter and hail.

People would also have to expect gusts of wind with speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and hurricane gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour.

Tornadoes could also occur occasionally.

The storm could hit areas throughout the state from the afternoon into the evening.

Further level 3 and 4 warnings for extreme storms are also to be expected.

+++ 1:00 p.m .:

According to the German Weather Service, the small-scale low Emmelinde, which moves from the Benelux countries to the Polish border, is to blame for the violent storms.

The DWD expects heavy gusts of wind up to hurricane gusts.

Extreme heavy rain in a short time can also occur, as well as large hail of up to five centimeters.

Trees are expected to be uprooted, the DWD warns of parts of roof structures flying around.

+++ 12:45 p.m .:

Mass of water and mud devastated streets in Baden-Württemberg on Friday night.

The municipalities of Mundelsheim, Großbottwar and Oberstenfeld were particularly affected by the storm.

The local thoroughfares had to be blocked there, according to the police.

Some cars were swept away by the water, but no one was injured.

The fire brigade was deployed with flood barriers to divert the water.

In Oberstenfeld about 50 cellars were full of water, in Mundelsheim there were 25. 

Severe weather in Baden-Württemberg: masses of water and mud pushed through the streets in the communities of Mundelsheim, Großbottwar and Oberstenfeld.

© Hemmann/dpa

Tornadoes and severe storms on Friday: NRW interior minister calls for particular caution

+++ 12:00 p.m .:

NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) has called on the population to be particularly careful in view of the storm warnings from the German Weather Service.

"Please stay at home.

Avoid spending time outdoors.

In particular, keep your distance from buildings, trees, scaffolding and high-voltage power lines.

Don't go into the basement or lower floors," Reul told the German Press Agency (dpa) on Friday.

Reul advises taking the warning from the DWD very seriously.

People should find out about warning apps like Nina and DWD Warnwetter.

They should also pay attention to siren alarms and radio and loudspeaker announcements.

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+++ 11:45 a.m .:

Due to the extreme storms predicted for North Rhine-Westphalia, the State Office for Nature and the Environment in NRW activates the flood information service.

The expected heavy rains could affect the runoff in the water bodies.

There could be flooding in parts of North Rhine-Westphalia due to the heavy rain and the water levels could rise significantly.

On Friday, all schools sponsored by the Ahrweiler district in Rhineland-Palatinate will also remain closed due to the risk of storms.

The district announces this on its website.

The district advises parents of daycare children to look after their children at home.

In addition, people should follow the weather forecasts closely and use the warning apps Katwarn and Nina.

The Ahr Valley had already been devastated by flooding in July 2021, killing more than 100 people.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail and tornadoes: On Friday (May 20th) another storm front will pass through Germany - NRW is particularly affected.

© Andreas Rosar Photo Agency Stuttgart/dpa

Severe weather in Germany: Deutsche Bahn expects trains to be delayed in NRW

First report from Friday, May 20, 11:05

a.m.: full garages, lightning strikes, fallen trees and hail.

The dreaded storm came, but was less violent than predicted.

According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the thunderstorm should now move from the west towards northern Germany on Friday (May 20).

Due to weather-related repairs, there will be delays and cancellations in train traffic in NRW on Friday, according to Deutsche Bahn.

The long-distance lines on the route between Cologne and Wuppertal are affected.

Individual trains had to be diverted and were therefore delayed.

Some of the trains may not stop in Hagen, Wuppertal and Solingen.

Travelers should therefore definitely check their connection before driving.

The repairs will probably take until the evening.

According to Deutsche Bahn, travelers could alternatively use S-Bahn and regional trains.

Heavy thunderstorms and hurricane gusts expected in NRW and Rhineland-Palatinate

Thunderstorms are expected to return in many parts of Germany on Friday, especially along the Moselle and Main to the Ore Mountains.

According to the DWD, there should be severe thunderstorms in NRW and Rhineland-Palatinate from noon with an increased risk of severe weather.

Extremely heavy heavy rain, large hail and heavy gusts of wind up to hurricane gusts with speeds between 100 and 130 kilometers per hour are expected locally.

There could even be occasional tornadoes.

On Friday afternoon the thunderstorms will move eastwards, in the evening there may also be some strong thunderstorms in the south of the country, mainly due to heavy rain and hail.

The storm in Germany initially calmed down a bit on Friday night.

The damage was less severe than expected.

Around midnight, the German Weather Service (DWD) initially lifted the existing severe weather warnings.

A storm front with heavy rain, thunder and lightning had previously swept across western Germany.

(ter/dpa)