Heavy rain and snow expected after storm depression

Weather - Heavy rain and snow expected after storm depression

After the storm depression "Zoltan" passed over Germany, heavy rain or snowfall is expected in some regions of Germany today. The authorities are warning of major flooding in parts of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Bavaria.

Fresh snow is expected from the Thuringian Forest to the Bavarian Forest at altitudes above 600 to 800 meters, according to the German Weather Service (DWD) this morning. According to the DWD report, heavy amounts of snow are expected in the Erzgebirge in a short space of time today. As a result, trees are threatening to fall and branches to break off. Slippery conditions due to slush are also possible from eastern Schleswig-Holstein and eastern Lower Saxony to Lusatia until Saturday morning.

As a result of the continuous rain, precipitation of 60 to 90 liters per square meter in 48 to 72 hours is expected in many places, according to the DWD. For some regions, thunderstorms with 90 to 120 liters per square meter are also predicted. In the eastern low mountain ranges, the precipitation is expected to increasingly change to rain and thaw from the evening onwards.

Full trains expected

On Friday, the low-pressure system "Zoltan" passed over Germany and caused considerable disruption to road and rail traffic. Rail travelers in particular had to be patient, some ferries in the north did not run and the subway trains in Hamburg, for example, were slower. There were icy road accidents in Lower Saxony and the DWD is investigating a suspected tornado in Cologne. There were fatalities caused by the storm in the Netherlands and Belgium. The severe storm surge peaked in Hamburg late Friday morning.

Deutsche Bahn expects trains to be very busy over the weekend - in addition to the already heavy Christmas traffic, there will also be travelers who had to postpone their journey to the weekend due to the storm: "It will certainly be full," said a Deutsche Bahn spokeswoman. There could also be delays. "It is becoming apparent that it will take longer to repair the damage on individual routes," said a statement from Deutsche Bahn.

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1. Despite the heavy rain and snow expected, Zoltan passed over Germany, causing significant disruptions.
2. The German Weather Service (DWD) predicted heavy snowfall in the Ore Mountains and Thuringian Forest.
3. In Hanover, residents prepared for the weekend with anticipation, unaware of the weather challenges that lay ahead.
4. The authorities in Saxony-Anhalt issued warnings for potential emergencies due to the storm's impact.
5. Travelers in Bavaria faced the prospect of slippery roads and breakage of branches due to heavy snowfall.
6. Rainfall of up to 120 liters per square meter was predicted by the DWD for some regions on Friday.
7. The low-pressure system Zoltan caused significant traffic disruptions in Lower Saxony and Hamburg.
8. Deutsche Bahn anticipated high demand for trains over the weekend, with travelers rescheduling their journeys due to the storm.
9. The Bavarian Forest experienced significant snowfall as a result of the storm, causing challenges for hikers and skiers.
10. The Schleswig-Holstein region was advised to prepare for the possibility of soaked roads and hazardous driving conditions.
11. The DWD issued an urgent warning of potential flooding in some areas of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Bavaria.
12. Belgium and the Netherlands faced storms and severe weather, resulting in fatalities and significant damages.
13. The DWD continued to monitor the situation closely, with Storm Low predicted to impact parts of Germany and the surrounding countries.

Source: www.stern.de