Heed the Weather Warning
Intense Downpours and Rainstorms Hit Southern Regions
Offenbach (dpa) - Prepare for some wild weather! Heavy thunderstorms are on the horizon, particularly in eastern Baden-Württemberg and southern Bavaria from the afternoon onwards. "Storm 'Tim' is bringing some serious weather action to Germany," says Marco Manitta from the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach. The unsettled Whitsun weekend ain't gonna be a breeze.
Though the storm's core is over the North Atlantic between Iceland and Scotland, its reach is far, affecting Central Europe too. The associated front system lies across Germany, splitting cooler air in the northwest from warm, humid air in the southeast, creating a "severe thunderstorm situation" in the southeast and parts of the east.
Prepare for the Storm
A rain-thunderstorm mix moved northeast in the morning, and later in the day, we're looking at some heavy thunderstorms forming and moving eastwards. Southern Germany is particularly in for it, with heavy thunderstorms expected from the afternoon onwards, potentially bringing torrential rain, giant hailstones, and strong or even gale-force winds, according to DWD.
In the southern Alpine foothills, things can get tricky as the Foehn might prevent thunderstorms from forming. However, in a rare event known as a Foehn collapse, the wind can suddenly increase to storm-force levels without any warning, so brace yourselves, especially if you're out on the southern Bavarian lakes.
But fear not, folks in the northwest - you'll be spared all this commotion, enjoying a mix of sun and clouds at pleasant temperatures. But don't get too comfortable, as things are about to get murky behind the cold front on Thursday, with the weather becoming significantly more unsettled and windy, with brief sunshine and denser cloud fields taking over. Some showers and thunderstorms might drop by, but nothing too severe.
Chilly Whitsun Weekend
The changeable weather pattern will continue into the weekend, as low-pressure systems repeatedly bring rain or showers, with sporadic thunderstorms possible as well. Temperatures will drop, with only the eastern part of the country managing to hit the 20-degree mark on Sunday. "We're looking at a chilly, changeable, and windy weekend," sums up the meteorologist. The weather should improve on Whit Monday.
Extra Reading: What is a Foehn collapse?
A Foehn collapse isn't a commonly recognized term in meteorology, but it might be related to the effects of a foehn wind. Foehn winds are warm, dry downslope winds that occur on the lee side of a mountain range. They can cause sudden and significant temperature increases, often leading to rapid snow melt and changes in local climate conditions.
In the case of a Foehn collapse, the wind might suddenly weaken or stop, potentially leading to a resumption of normal precipitation patterns or a cooling effect. However, this specific term isn't standard in meteorological discussions and may refer to a more regional phenomenon associated with the local weather conditions in the southern Alpine foothills.
In the southern Alpine foothills, a Foehn collapse could unexpectedly increase the wind to storm-force levels, so be cautious, especially when on the southern Bavarian lakes. The unsettled weather pattern in the chilly Whitsun weekend will bring rain, showers, and even sporadic thunderstorms across the country, with the environmental-science enthusiasts having a special interest in monitoring the impact of this weather situation on the local ecosystem and science.
