Intense thunderstorm scenario unfolding across Germany, potential tornado in Saxony.
A weather front moving from southwest to northern Germany generates a stormy situation, complete with downpours, thunderstorms, and hail in certain areas. Fire departments across the country have been busy handling numerous emergencies. Major European Championship event routes have been shut down for safety reasons in cities like Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Cologne, and Berlin, as well as Berlin. The Germany Weather Service (DWD) issued a nationwide warning for severe thunderstorms lasting from midday today until early Wednesday morning.
Powerful wind gusts in the Meissen district of Saxony have resulted in numerous mishaps. The fire department stated there could've been a tornado in the small town of Großdietsch, although the DWD emphasized it's not yet confirmed. A police representative stated a tree had fallen on train tracks in Grossdietsch, but fortunately, no injuries were reported so far. The Federal Police and Deutsche Bahn emergency response team were alerted. The DWD also noted the possibility of a tornado, but pending confirmation.
In Dortmund, the fire department tackled around 20 incidents due to heavy rainfall in the afternoon. Streets and a subway station were flooded, totaling around ten centimeters of water. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries.
The staff in the stadium attempted to minimize the impact of the rain before the EM game between Turkey and Georgia, by scooping up water cascading off the roofs and channeling it into open drains. The pouring rain also affected the Georgian fans' procession to the stadium.
On the A42, the Dortmund autobahn ramp was inundated, according to a Münster police spokesperson. Drivers could crawl along it at a snail's pace.
In South Thuringia, large hailstones damaged multiple vehicles and metal roofs. No injuries were sustained, reported the police spokesperson. Additionally, a country road in Hildburghausen's district was completely engulfed by golf-ball-sized hailstones. The road has since been cleared and is accessible once more. No accidents were reported. MDR mention that the emergency services were also called for additional reasons, including uprooted trees. A thunderstorm in Nordhausen caused traffic jams, as a traffic light system was knocked out, and train barriers remained closed due to a lightning strike.
Earlier, temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius were recorded at various locations in Germany. ntv meteorologists stated that Friedrichshafen stands as the current hottest spot with a temperature of 32.4 degrees, while Esslingen am Neckar and Kressbronn am Bodensee both had temperatures of 31.7 degrees each. Garmisch-Partenkirchen reported temperatures slightly over 31 degrees.
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The International community has expressed concern over the extreme weather conditions in Germany, with the German Weather Service (DWD) issuing warnings for severe thunderstorms. The German Weather Service is still investigating the possibility of a tornado in Saxony's Meissen district, despite initial reports.
