Violent Weather Phenomenon Sweeps Across Region - Sabotaged power transmission towers and extensively damaged residences observed in Saxony
In the Meissen district, a ferocious tempest left a path of devastation through the city of Groditz on Tuesday. The fire department, with the aid of drone footage, traced the storm's rampage. This seems to hint at a tornado, as the city's administration spokesperson stated early on Wednesday. However, the Tornado Expert Group of the German Weather Service (DWD) could not verify this hypothesis during preliminary assessments.
The destruction in Groditz surpassed that of an average storm: The city reported approximately 77 emergency calls due to the storm. The images below showcase the power line and railway disruptions. Buildings had their roofs ripped off, vehicles were battered by flying debris. Numerous trees also came crashing down – exacerbating the damage. As shown on Wednesday, the fire department was still attending to the site.
DWD: Straight-line winds likely culprits
The professionals at the DWD suspect that destructive straight-line winds (Fallboens) were responsible for the wreckage in Groditz. Although there are no photos depicting a tornado, a thorough on-site evaluation of the damage pattern is needed to determine if a tornado may have played a part. For instance, tree damage patterns would need to be scrutinized.
Based on the images, the experts at the German Weather Service hypothesize that the winds in Groditz reached speeds above 140 kilometers per hour. Generally, conditions conducive to a tornado were present. This includes a storm system susceptible to thunderstorms, a low cloud base at an altitude of 800-1000 meters above ground, and substantial wind variations on a small scale. These conditions would make a tornado feasible, as meteorologist Florian Engelmann from the German Weather Service pointed out. However, it is challenging to forecast tornados ahead of time. Yet, the weather event in Germany is uncommon.
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In the aftermath of the damage in Gröditz, the local power company worked diligently to replace the damaged power poles, as several had been battered by the storm's fierce winds. Recalling the event, the Meissen fire department acknowledged that their response to the storm in Saxony was one of the most demanding calls they had ever handled. Despite the challenging conditions, they managed to maintain control and ensure the safety of the affected residents.
