Heavy and continuous rain can lead to flooding in Germany and southern Europe in the coming weeks. Venice threatens "Aqua Alta".
Munich/Venice – The spring-like weather of the first weekend in May has already said goodbye. Severe thunderstorms and storms have caused flooded roads and numerous operations in recent days. Slowly you have gotten used to the fact that a beautiful summer's day is followed by bad weather. In the next few days we can expect a lot of rain again. At the start of the holiday season, areas in southern Europe are also affected.
Weather forecast shows "European flood situation" – Venice threatens "Aqua Alta"
If you are going to Austria, Italy, Croatia or Switzerland in the next two weeks, you should definitely take your rubber boots with you. Because the holiday could fall into the water. Meteorologist Jan Schenk of "The Weather Channel" warns of a "European flood situation". "Especially in the southern Alps and the Dinaric Alps, up to 300 litres of rain per square metre are possible," explains Schenk. These large amounts of water are caused by a low-pressure area between two high-pressure systems over Italy, which is exposed to warm air from the south.
Floods in Venice in 2020. Also in May, "Aqua alta" threatens to flood the city. © Anteo Marinoni/LaPressa/dpa
In Venice, "Aqua Alta" can occur, i.e. flooding. This actually refers to the annual winter flood in Venice. The flood season in Venice usually lasts from September to April. Now it seems that the city still has to prepare for "Aqua Alta" at the end of May. As recently as February 2023, the lagoon city was still suffering from the rare phenomenon of "Aqua Bassa". The water was so low at low tide that gondolas were stuck in mud.
Weather forecasts show heavy and continuous rain: 200 litres of rain per square metre possible
"Within a week, up to 150 litres of rain per square metre will fall in the German Alps," Schenk predicts. The water can then drain towards the Danube, so that a flood wave can build up on the Danube. Other parts of Germany are also affected by a lot of rain. Schenk warns of small floods in the low mountain ranges, in Hesse and in Franconia. If you look at the precipitation forecast for the next two weeks, up to 200 litres of rain per square metre will fall in the Alps.
The German Weather Service (DWD) warns of unsettled weather with thunderstorms as well as heavy and continuous rain. Until Thursday (11 May), rainfall amounts of up to 60 litres per square metre are possible in the Alps. In the west and south, showers will spread to the center. Over the weekend, the rainy weather continues. Thunderstorms with local heavy rain and hail are possible. Only the north of Germany is spared from heavy showers. (vk)
