The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued warnings for potentially heavy thunderstorms and torrential rainfall impacting western Germany.
Meteorologists at the DWD’s headquarters in Offenbach reported that the Saarland region, along with parts of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, are particularly at risk. The warnings, currently in effect from Tuesday night at 2:00 AM until Tuesday afternoon, caution that potential consequences include flooding of basements and roads, rising water levels in streams and small rivers, localized flooding, landslides and damage from lightning strikes.
The current weather pattern is driven by the trailing edge of the low-pressure system “Walter” bringing moisture-laden air to western and southwestern regions of the forecasting area. Following isolated, intense thunderstorms with localized downpours on Monday afternoon and evening, torrential rain, potentially accompanied by thunderstorms, is expected to move in from France overnight into Tuesday, affecting the Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate and subsequently, western North Rhine-Westphalia. The DWD anticipates rainfall amounts ranging from 35 to 60 liters per square meter within a short timeframe, with the possibility of significantly higher accumulations in certain areas. The weather system is projected to gradually weaken and move northwestwards by Tuesday midday.
The DWD reserves the possibility of extending the warnings or expanding the affected areas as conditions evolve.
