German Weather Service - Thunderstorm and shower after summer heat
After the heat over the weekend, a thunderfront with rain moved through Thuringia and initially provided some relief from the heat. The German Weather Service (DWD) had warned of strong thunderstorms in wide parts of the state. According to the police, there were smaller incidents.
For example, in Erfurt, lightning struck a house and a branch fell on a car. No one was injured. The A4 had to be closed briefly in both directions near the Thuringian state border in Hesse due to aquaplaning, according to the situation center.
Einlass-Stop in Freibaden
With summer temperatures over 30 degrees, the bathing lakes in Thuringia were already overflowing on Saturday. In some places, such as in the Gotha district, a temporary entrance stop had to be imposed due to the visitor rush, according to MDR Thuringia.
The prolonged drought had also led to an increased risk of forest fires. On Sunday, according to the State Forest Administration in nine forest districts in the state, the second-highest warning level 4 applied. This affected the northern part around Sondershausen as well as parts of Eastern Thuringia and the Sonneberg area.
In Thuringia, there are five forest fire danger levels. Level 1 stands for a very low risk, level 5 for a very high risk. With the forest fire danger levels, certain behavior rules are associated. At the highest risk level, for example, extremely endangered forests can be closed.
The highest temperature was measured in Jena on Saturday by the DWD at just under 33 degrees. According to the meteorologists, the heat is over in Thuringia at the beginning of the week. According to the DWD, it should be around 24 degrees on Monday. However, it remains uncertain.
- The police in Erfurt advised residents to stay indoors during the intense thunderstorm, citing the potential danger posed by lightning.
- The Automatic Weather Station in Erfurt reported a drop in temperature and increased humidity as the thunderfront passed, providing some relief from the summer heat.
- The German Weather Service (DWD) issued a warning for widespread thunderstorms in Thuringia and the neighboring state of Hesse, urging people to be prepared for heavy rain and possible flooding.
- In Cooling, a small village near Erfurt, the thunderstorm brought much-needed rain to the parched fields, providing a welcome respite for local farmers struggling with drought.
- Despite the warnings, some tourists in Thuringia continued to enjoy the weather, with many still heading to the bathing lakes after the rain had passed, hoping for a few more days of summer sun.
- The town of Thuringia's emergency services, including the police and fire department, are on standby, ready to respond to any incidents related to the thunderstorm, including fallen trees, flooding, and power outages due to lightning strikes.
