Unpredictable Weather Patterns Wreak Havoc Across Germany and France
Large parts of Germany and France are experiencing relentless severe weather warnings, which include heavy rain, thunderstorms, and violent storms. The unsteady weather situation is expected to continue in the coming weeks, causing a high risk of flooding. In Germany, regions like Munich and Augsburg are particularly affected by heavy showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures fluctuating between 16 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologist Dominik Jung from Wetter.net forecasts a “scary” weather pattern that will persist until June 8th. This forecast indicates that the fluctuating weather conditions will include thunderstorms and severe weather warnings daily. Meanwhile, in France, the north-east regions like Alsace and Lorraine face heavy showers with flooding risks, primarily due to a cold drop situated in the heart of the country. Unlike Germany, the Mediterranean rim in France remains largely unaffected by the adverse weather.
Severe Weather Timeline
From Thursday, May 23rd, parts of Germany can expect some relief, although severe weather is still predicted in the northeast, east, and southwest. On Friday, the so-called Munich low will bring thunderstorms to the north, followed by heavy rain covering most of the country till the evening. Saturday will see heavy showers and potential thunderstorms nationwide, affecting regions unevenly and causing floods and landslides in some areas. By Sunday, May 26th, the weather remains unpredictable but with a mix of sunshine and thunderstorms. Throughout these days, the risk of severe weather, including storms and heavy rain, remains high, especially over northern North Rhine-Westphalia, to Saxony.
The German Weather Service (DWD) also warns of potential squalls and hail up to 2 cm. The fluid nature of these fluctuating low-pressure areas makes the situation more alarming. The atmospheric conditions are likened to a “wet sponge,” as described by meteorologist Jung, leading to inevitable heavy rainfall and subsequent floods. Concurrently, in France, the bad weather conditions are predicted to last until mid-week with an expected slight improvement over the weekend, except thunderstorms will still threaten large parts of the country.
- Warm, humid air masses are causing larger amounts of precipitation in localized regions in Germany. Some areas can experience up to 50 liters of rain per square meter, an amount the sewer system cannot handle, leading to flooding. This situation arises from stationary low-pressure areas that cause severe thunderstorms to recur in the same locations, exacerbating the flood risk.
- In France, the disturbances are primarily due to a cold drop in the heart of the country. While the Mediterranean coast enjoys relatively good weather, places like Burgundy to the Paris Basin are threatened by thunderstorms and regular rain showers, particularly along the Belgian borders.
