Watch Out: Severe Thunderstorms on the Horizon for South Germany
South faces impending severe storms - Intense downpours striking southern areas
Hey there!
Expect some Wild West-style weather coming to eastern Baden-Württemberg and southern Bavaria later today, warns meteorologist Marco Manitta of the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach. Storm 'Tim' is packing a punch for this region, resulting in a stormy Pentecost weekend.
Although the epicenter of the storm is over the North Atlantic between Iceland and Scotland, its influence stretches as far as Central Europe. A frontal system stretching across Germany separates cold, drier air in the northwest from warmer, humid air in the southeast, leading to a volatile weather atmosphere in the southeast sector.
This wacky weather can unleash hail, storms, and even hurricane-force winds. This morning, a mixed bag of rain and thunderstorms have already rolled through, with heavy thunderstorms forming and heading eastward throughout the day. The DWD predicts severe thunderstorms to hit southern Germany starting this afternoon, bringing heavy rains, large hail, and powerful storm or even hurricane-force gusts.
But don't panic if you live in the southern Alpine foothills - the weather situation is a complicated dance; one that's particularly tricky in this region due to föhn winds. These winds, where they flow down the alpine slopes, can prevent thunderstorms - but in some cases, they can suddenly pick up to storm strength without warning, known in meteorology as a 'föhn breakdown.' Sailors on the southern Bavarian lakes should exercise caution, advises Manitta.
Meanwhile, folks in the northwest will dodge the stormy weather - the weather will be a sunny-cloudy mix with comfortable temperatures. The weather will become more unsettled and windier by Thursday, though, with fewer sunny periods and a thicker cloud cover. scattered showers and thunderstorms will pass through, but there will be no serious threat of severe weather.
The weekend will continue this trend, with low-pressure systems bringing rain or showers and occasional thunderstorms. Temperatures will decline, and Sunday will only see the eastern regions reaching the 20°C mark. "This weekend will be chilly, unpredictable, and windy," summarizes Manitta. The skies will clear on Pentecost Monday.
- Thunderstorms
- South Germany
- Offenbach
- Storm
- Marco Manitta
- Iceland
- Scotland
Föhn Winds and Their Impact
Föhn winds, known for their cozy and drought-like nature, cause significant changes in temperature and humidity as they descend a mountain slope. These changes can create an atmosphere ripe for thunderstorm formation or, alternatively, disrupt the organization of these storms.
Affective Factors
If a 'föhn breakdown' refers to the scenario where föhn winds disrupt the organization of severe thunderstorms, it would likely be due to the drying effect of these winds. These winds can reduce the necessary moisture for sustained thunderstorm activity, making the storms unpredictable and potentially leading to a sudden change in their severity.
- The weather forecast by meteorologist Marco Manitta of the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach predicts severe thunderstorms to hit South Germany today, possibly caused by Föhn winds that may disrupt the organization of these storms.
- According to the Commission's implementing acts laying down the rules for the application of certain Regulations, environmental-science research could help study the impact of Föhn winds on weather patterns, potentially aiding in the prediction and management of such severe events in the future.
