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Intense storms pose a significant threat in southern and eastern regions of Germany.
Following the heavy thunderstorms over the weekend in Germany, more adverse weather conditions are forecasted for the southern and eastern regions of the country on Sunday afternoon. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) has issued severe weather warnings for these areas, predicting hail, heavy winds, and potential localized severe storms. Widespread rainfall of up to 40 liters per square meter in a short time, or over 60 liters per square meter within a few hours, is expected.
Thunderstorms on Saturday and overnight Sunday caused havoc in parts of Germany. The city of Paderborn in North Rhine-Westphalia was hard hit, prompting emergency services to address numerous incidents, such as flooded basements and structural damage. Although no injuries were reported by the Paderborn police, a production hall roof succumbed to the floodwaters and collapsed. The Paderborn hospital also experienced disruptions when water entered the building, causing operational issues with the elevators. The police department received over 400 emergency calls within a three-hour span from 7 p.m. on Saturday.
There was uncertainty regarding a possible tornado in the Paderborn district of Benhausen, as local residents found a car submerged in a rain retention basin on Sunday morning. The fire department was called, but the car's owner confirmed they had become stuck the previous day and had already vacated the vehicle. Numerous eyewitness reports pointed to a tornado near the nearby town of Altenbeken. Meteorologists will investigate the possibility of a tornado in the coming days.
Other incidents reported on Sunday included fallen trees, muddy roads, and traffic bottlenecks in Detmold, Bielefeld, and several other locations. In Gymnich in the Rhein-Erft district, a house fire erupted following a lightning strike.
Brace for Calmer Conditions Next Week
With the stormy weekend behind us, conditions are expected to improve across Germany starting next week. On Monday, Eastern and Southeastern regions can expect partly cloudy skies with occasional showers. By midweek, sunny weather is forecasted to return across the nation, with high temperatures ranging from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius.
Background
While no official confirmation of a tornado touchdown near Paderborn has been made regarding the recent severe weather event in mid-June 2025, the region has faced severe weather warnings and potential tornado investigations by meteorologists [1]. Prior to this, a tornado was confirmed near Paderborn on May 20, 2022, causing damage and injuries [3]. However, it is essential to clarify that as of the available reports for mid-June 2025, the situation is described as an investigation into a potential tornado, not a confirmed event [1].
Sources: ntv.de, hvo/dpa
[1] ntv.de. "Wetter: Tornado nahe Paderborn? Bilder zeigen Wirbelsturm-Verdacht." (np)[3] ntv.de. "Wetter: Tornado nahe Paderborn – Verwüstung in der Region." (HVO/DPA)
"I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can predict the exact outcome of the potential tornado investigation near Paderborn. The weather forecasting for the region suggests adverse conditions persisting, with additional storms predicted."
"In light of the past weather events in Paderborn, it's crucial to remain vigilant and follow severe weather warnings, as the German Meteorological Service (DWD) is investigating the possibility of a tornado in the area."
