The German Weather Service (DWD) has plans storms warned in several areas of the country. After a few thunderstorms overnight, DWD initially expects lightning activity to decrease temporarily but later increase again. According to DWD, there is a danger to life due to lightning strikes. The weather service advises seeking shelter indoors.
Severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, downpours and hail are possible in central and southern Germany. The risk of severe weather conditions cannot be excluded, especially due to precipitation of 25 to 40 liters per square meter over a short period of time. In some cases, there may also be very heavy rain – more than 40 liters per square meter, the report said.
There may also be strong squalls with wind speeds of 70 to 90 km/h (wind force 8 to 10 on the Beaufort scale). Hailstones up to 3 centimeters in diameter, as well as localized hail accumulations, are also possible. In the west and southwest, some areas can expect “severe heat stress” of up to 35 degrees.
Hail in northern Germany
During the storm, heavy hail has already fallen in the area of Ludwigslust-Parchim in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. After two hours of grain, some as large as tennis balls, so much hail had accumulated on the ground in some areas that it had to be removed with wheel loaders, West Mecklenburg Control Center reported. It was like winter snowfall. The control center was not aware of any injuries and was initially unable to provide any information about property damage.
About 168 weather-related emergency calls were received in the county within an hour, a spokesman for the German Press Agency’s control center said. Firefighters had to pump out basements and remove fallen trees. Initially NDR and Build-The newspaper reported the storm. Firefighters continued to work through the night responding to emergency calls.
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