Storm - Gale-force winds and risk of tornadoes: anxiety due to severe weather
Orkanboen, Hail, Heavy Rain and Possible Tornados: According to the German Weather Service (DWD), it will be quite unpleasant in the western part of Baden-Württemberg on Saturday evening. The greatest tornado risk is reportedly in the extreme west of Baden-Württemberg, in Baden specifically. The weather system is expected to mainly pass through Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Hesse.
Late Saturday evening and in the early hours of Sunday, heavy thunderstorms are expected to develop from France. According to the DWD, wind speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, hail up to five centimeters, and extremely heavy rain up to 50 liters per square meter per hour or up to 80 liters per square meter in a few hours are expected.
Stuttgart Fanzones Open, but Hands Away from Alcohol
The Stuttgart Fanzones in the city center have reopened on Saturday - despite the prospect of possible bad weather for the German football national team's EM quarterfinal against Denmark on Saturday evening (21.00 Uhr/ZDF and MagentaTV). "We are in constant contact with the German Weather Service and hope to be spared from the weather," said Jörg Klopfer, spokesperson for the Stuttgart event organization.
However, Stuttgart is not expected to be hit as hard as the rest of the state according to the DWD. A spokesperson for the DWD stated that there will be rain and stronger winds in Stuttgart. In a statement from the Fanzone organizers, it was stated: "The weather radar shows a storm that may be moving towards Stuttgart. The Fanzones are open as planned." The Host City Stuttgart is in close contact with the German Weather Service and will provide updates on its website and social media channels.
But it's not just rain that's threatening, but also extreme heat. "We expect high temperatures today. Drink, drink, drink - and preferably water and no alcohol," it said in a press release from the city. Refreshment was offered by approximately 270 fountains in the city area. The Building Department operates 13 mineral springs, 106 drinking fountains, and 76 water features on public grounds. The Gardening, Cemetery, and Forestry Department operates 85 decorative fountains in parks and green areas. The organizers therefore continue to recommend: "Please also seek out shady places frequently and do not stay permanently in the sun. Use sunscreen and reapply it regularly. At the Fan Zone Schlossplatz, you will find a donor with free sunscreen." The Fan Zones are currently all open. However, the responsible parties will make necessary decisions as needed at short notice.
Meanwhile, Freudenstadt has canceled its Public Viewing - in consultation with DWD and the Fire Department. "The safety of the fans is our top priority. The decision was not easy for us, as we, as hosts of the Danes, expect the most exciting game of the EM and we look forward to a great atmosphere together with the Danish and German fans," wrote Carlon Schölzl from Freudenstadt Tourism in a statement.
And how is the weather going to continue? There will be somewhat better weather again on Sunday - but still rain and occasionally thunderstorms. The forecasted high temperatures will range between 18 and 24 degrees. On Monday, the DWD meteorologists expect rain, thunderstorms, and occasional tornadoes with strong gusts. The maximum temperatures are predicted to be slightly lower, between 17 and 22 degrees compared to Sunday.
Tornados, according to the DWD, occur very rarely. A tornado is a rotating column of air in contact with the ground, which rotates around a more or less vertical axis and is located under a cumulus cloud. It can form according to DWD information when there are strong temperature inversions and air rises or is lifted. Through the release of condensation heat and the increase in wind speed - and possibly also a change in wind direction with height - a rotating wind vortex is generated. This can reach a diameter of over a kilometer, with wind speeds of several hundred kilometers per hour potentially occurring, the DWD explained further about the weather phenomenon on its homepage.
In the past few days, there have been heavy rain showers again: with flooding, uprooted trees due to the storms, and cleared fan zones in Stuttgart.
Forecast Baden-Württemberg (DWD), 6:42 am
- Despite the severe weather warnings from DWD, the European Football Championship fanzones in Stuttgart have reopened, urging fans to stay hydrated due to the expected heat.
- The greatest tornado risk in Baden-Württemberg is reportedly in the extreme west, specifically in Baden, where gale force winds and heavy rain are expected.
- Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Hesse are also expected to be affected by the weather system, which is expected to bring wind speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, hail, and extremely heavy rain.
- Freudenstadt has canceled its public viewing due to tornado danger, prioritizing fan safety.
- On Sunday, there will be somewhat better weather in Baden-Württemberg, but still rain and occasional thunderstorms, with temperatures ranging between 18 and 24 degrees.
- The DWD meteorologists predict rain, thunderstorms, and occasional tornadoes with strong gusts on Monday, with temperatures slightly lower compared to Sunday.
- Tornados are rare weather phenomena, according to DWD, with a rotating column of air forming under a cumulus cloud when there are strong temperature inversions and air rises.
- Heavy rain showers have caused flooding, uprooted trees due to storms, and cleared fan zones in Stuttgart throughout the past few days.
- The German Weather Service (DWD) has warned of tornado danger in Baden-Württemberg, especially in the extreme west, and advised fans in Freudenstadt to attend the European Football Championship quarterfinals in Stuttgart instead.
