Storm - Impending storm affects public viewing
The next major EM-Party in Germany is threatened to be affected by the weather in parts of the country. For the DFB-team's quarterfinal match against Denmark on Saturday (8:00 PM/ZDF and MagentaTV), strong unsettled weather is forecasted. Particularly in the southwest, there is a risk of thunderstorms with heavy rain, severe gusts up to storm or hurricane force winds, and larger hail.
Tobias Reinartz, meteorologist at the German Weather Service in Offenbach, advised against attending public viewings on Saturday. "This can be very dangerous if you're outside during this."
Frankfurt already announced consequences on Saturday afternoon and declared that the fan zones would remain closed all day. The Tourism+Congress GmbH as the organizer and the security authorities have been assessing the situation with the German Weather Service in the past few hours. "They conclude that the Frankfurt fan zone cannot be safely operated under these forecasts," it was stated.
"Not recommended to extend"
Similarly, in Dortmund, where the Bundesteam coached by Julian Nagelsmann will play their home EM match, there is a risk that a powerful thunderstorm will develop towards the end of the game. "A extension would not be recommended, not just from a meteorological perspective," Reinartz explained. According to the Dortmund police, the game is currently taking place, and the fan zones are open. "The decisions are dependent on further meteorological observation," a police spokesperson told dpa.
According to DWD forecasts, there may already be individual thunderstorms in the center of Germany during the day, followed by a pronounced thunderstorm situation in the evening. "The focus is in the southwest, which then shifts to Hesse and West Thuringia," said meteorologist Reinartz. "It is essential to keep an eye on the warning situation and weather development!" Even on Wednesday at the end of the group stage, fan zones had to be evacuated due to a heavy storm.
Stuttgart opens fan zone
Likewise, Stuttgart, which initially planned a regular opening on Saturday, also intends to open the fan zones. "We are in constant contact with the German Weather Service and hope to be spared from storms," said Jörg Klopfer, spokesperson for the event organization in Stuttgart.
The state capital is expected to be affected less severely by the weather in Germany on Saturday, according to a DWD spokesperson. In Stuttgart, there is expected to be rain and stronger winds.
In a statement from the organizers, it was stated: "The weather radar shows a storm that may be moving towards Stuttgart. The fan zones are opening as planned." The host city Stuttgart is in close contact with the German Weather Service and will inform via its website and social media channels about the further development.
Info on the Frankfurt fan zone
- Despite the threatening weather, the DFB squad is set to face Denmark in their quarterfinal match on ZDF and MagentaTV on Saturday at 8:00 PM.
- Tobias Reinartz, a meteorologist at the German Weather Service in Offenbach, strongly advises against attending public viewings due to the danger posed by the forecasted storm.
- Frankfurt has announced that their fan zone will remain closed all day on Saturday due to the weather conditions, following assessments with the German Weather Service.
- In a similar situation, Dortmund's fan zone may also need to close prematurely due to a potential powerful thunderstorm during their EM match.
- The state of Hesse, where Frankfurt and Dortmund are located, could be significantly impacted by heavy rain, severe gusts, and thunderstorms according to DWD forecasts.
- Stuttgart, another city hosting fan zones, plans to open theirs despite the weather warnings, with event organizers hoping to avoid storms and keeping in touch with the German Weather Service for updates.
- ZDF and other German channels might need to provide updates on the weather situation during soccer matches, particularly as they approach the end of the group stage and the EM tournament continues.
