Despite it being early summer, thunderstorms are approaching.
For many, the pleasant weather is encouraging them to go for walks and sunbathe. High pressure system "Thomas" is creating an early summer vibe. However, this will soon come to an end in the south-western half of Germany, according to ntv meteorologist Björn Alexander. And the sunshine in the east also has its own drawbacks.
What's the forecast for the remainder of the long weekend?
Beautiful weather is expected to continue thanks to high pressure system "Thomas". Apart from a few clouds, it'll be warm and sunny with temperatures reaching up to 27 degrees. This perfect timing from Ascension Day to Mother's Day before the change in the weather commences.
When will the shift occur?
Monday night will see the first showers and thunderstorms push into Germany from France, the Benelux countries, and over the Alps. This will cause a mixed weather pattern in the south-west and continue through Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, in the north and east, it'll stay dry, warm, and sunny with all the pros and cons.
What should we be mindful of during this period?
The risk of forest fires poses a major concern. Level 3 (out of 5) threatens in some areas on Sunday in the Elbe region and surrounding areas to the east. On Monday and Tuesday, it will significantly increase to levels 4 and even 5. Additionally, we should pay careful attention to sun protection due to high UV exposure, which stands between 5 and 8 - categorised as high to very high. Swimming in the lakes can also be risky, as the water can feel a lot cooler than the air temperature.
What UV levels should we be aware of?
Currently, we're already in the summer range. Typically, the UV values are between 5 and 8, representing high to very high exposure.
What are the water temperatures like?
They're usually around 11 to 15 degrees, measured at a depth of one meter. Thus, the water in the shallower regions can be warmer. Beware - the temperatures at the surface might feel like over 30 degrees, but they disguise far colder waters beneath once plunged in deeper.
What's the outlook for Saturday?
Mostly sunny skies are expected, with a few stray clouds along the edges of the high pressure system "Thomas". The northeast and east could encounter occasional rain. Temperatures will remain in the spring to early summer range at 20 to 26 degrees. The coast will see slightly cooler temperatures of around 15 degrees due to the sea breeze.
How does Sunday appear?
Expect another sunny day with just a few clouds. However, over the mountains, cumulus clouds may reach higher altitudes and bring showers and thunderstorms. Overall, it'll be a bit warmer with maximum temperatures of 20 to 27 degrees. The North Sea will have around 20 degrees, and the Baltic Sea will hover around 16 degrees.
Should we make the most of it while we can?
In the south-western half of the country, lightning strikes have already been reported for Monday night. A low pressure system will then push in from France, increasing the probability of showers, thunderstorms, and other weather phenomena. Lightning-intensive thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and squalls may occur in certain areas.
How will the future development unfold?
In the north-east, the weather will remain sunny and pleasant until and including Tuesday, perhaps even Wednesday, with highs of around 25 degrees. The thundery zone coupled with a potential air mass boundary will progress, bringing the potential for showers and thunderstorms, particularly on Monday and Tuesday. It'll also become a little cooler, with max temperatures of 16 to 24 degrees on Wednesday.
What can we anticipate for Whitsun weekend?
Sadly, there's a low chance that the weather will be as good as it is this weekend. Instead, we're facing spring-like weather with flip-flops between an Atlantic low and an Eastern European high. This will result in a better-looking weather projection for the east of our country, while the western half may experience less favourable conditions.
Read also:
- Floods: water levels remain critical in many places
- Snow chaos further restricts Bavaria
- Continuous operation in the flood areas
- Flood situation remains tense in many places
- Björn Alexander, the meteorologist from ntv, warned that the pleasant summer weather in the south-western half of Germany will be disrupted by thunderstorms, which are expected to be caused by a shift in weather coming from France and the Benelux countries.
- The risk of forest fires is currently at level 3 in some areas, but it is predicted to significantly increase to levels 4 and 5 due to the approaching thunderstorms, which could lead to dry conditions and spark wildfires.
- International meteorologists and climate experts are closely monitoring the weather patterns associated with forest fires, as extreme weather events like thunderstorms and high temperatures can contribute to the spread of these natural disasters, which can have devastating effects on ecosystems and human communities.
Source: www.ntv.de
