Tempest Brewing: Weather System Takes its Toll on the Region - Possibility of flooding due to heavy rain in the South
Inundated basements in Germany's central and northern regions, more intense rainfall is still on the horizon for other parts of the country: Predominantly massive areas of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are bracing themselves for a weekend of non-stop heavy rain.
"The weather alarm that was projected across vast swaths of southern Germany is already underway in areas south of the Danube River and will continue to spread northwards," disclosed the German Meteorological Service (DWD).
Meteorological warnings are currently in effect. Fire departments are urging vigilance and are prepared for potential interventions. Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt are expected to experience less severe conditions than initially estimated.
"Enormous danger to life and well-being"
The DWD has issued the highest alert level for certain districts of Baden-Württemberg given the hazardous levels of continuous heavy rain. "It's akin to a month's worth of rain falling in just two days," articulated a DWD meteorologist. "It's akin to the downpours that have recently been experienced in Saarland." It's uncertain at this point how these extreme rainfall amounts will impact the region. Factors include a river's capacity, the presence of flood plains, and the effectiveness of any protective measures that have been set up.
Upper Swabia and Ostalb, in particular, are bracing for rainfall totals of 60-100 liters per square meter in Ravensburg, for instance. In southern Upper Swabia and the Ostalb, torrential downpours of up to 150 liters per square meter are anticipated.
Over the course of the weekend, wide swathes of Bavaria are predicted to experience continuous rainfall. Parts of Swabia and Upper Bavaria are most likely to bear the brunt of it. The DWD has issued warnings for these regions until Saturday afternoon. They expect to see "extremely heavy, unceasing rain" of level 4 (out of 4). As a result of the significant flooding and elevated water levels, there is "enormous danger to life and well-being." Additionally, in Franconia and wide sections of the Upper Palatinate, we can expect heavy rain and thunderstorms on Saturday, as per the DWD.
In the east, severe thunderstorms are a potential threat. Residents in Saxony-Anhalt should also brace for heavy rain and thunderstorms during the weekend. For Saturday evening, the DWD issued a warning for severe thunderstorms, which will affect specific areas in southern Saxony-Anhalt and eastern Thuringia, including Leipzig. Heavy rain is anticipated to begin in the southern regions on Friday evening.
The authorities in Thuringia, specifically, are monitoring Erfurt - the Catholic Day of Prayer is ongoing there until Sunday. Security officials, together with the event organizer, have reviewed both the security and weather conditions, according to Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD). The tents erected for the religious gathering have been prepared to withstand high winds and rainfall amounts. "Teams for emergency situations have been educated about the situation and put on standby."
The storm's focus lies in southern Germany. As per the weather service, the rain zone is projected to move in an arc through the area between the Main and Danube rivers towards the Lake Constance region on Friday. Within this zone, individual thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall are anticipated. By Saturday morning, extensive rainfall totals of 40-70 liters per square meter are expected in these regions in a day's time. It could be considerably more in specific areas.
Fire departments are raising the alarm over potential risks. "Flooded streets and paths pose dangers - whether you're driving a car, on foot, or astride a motorbike," said Hermann Schreck, Vice President of the German Fire Brigade Association. "The fire department is frequently dispatched to underpasses where vehicles have been trapped. The water often meets or exceeds expectations."
