Severe hailstorm in Upper Bavaria: power outage in a single municipality due to golf-ball-sized hail.
Severe Weather Strikes Munich: Size, Intensity, and Aftermath
German Weather Service issues caution about impending storms, with hailstones as large as golf balls predicted for the city.
9:22 PM: German Weather Service (DWD) confirms that heavy storms are on the move eastward, leaving Munich in the clear.
8:06 PM: Germerswang suffers power outages, while Maisach reports hail stones up to three centimeters in diameter.
7:50 PM: The storm arrives later than expected, unleashing lightning and thunder on Germering. Hail showers have begun, but no monster-sized stones yet. Rainfall is imminent, leaving some skittish city chapel rehearsal attendees trapped in fear, reports colleague Carina Ottillinger.
4th June Update, 2:33 PM: Local Edeka Gashi in Germering offers 24-hour parking in their lot for storm-prepared drivers, distributing 70 QR codes for purpose. The parking garage, however, is closed between 8 PM and 6 AM.
First Report 4th June, 2:50 PM: Forecasters predict a wave of severe thunderstorms likely to sweep across the region from west to east, bringing hail stones up to five centimeters in diameter, 100 km/h gusts (Bft 10), and heavy rains of 25 to 40 liters per square meter.
Local Headlines
- Animal Cruelty by PondUnscrupulous individuals seem to be torturing wildlife at a local pond, as officials report incidents of animal theft and mistreatment.
- Post-Hail AftermathBeautiful blooms may take a while to return after the brutal storm, as weather conditions remain tense in the area.
- Holiday HavensWhitsun vacations have commenced, with millions of travelers flocking to Munich Airport, causing a record influx of traffic.
- Gullies CloggedStorm-induced hail piles up to 40 centimeters high, causing chaos in Upper Bavaria.
Storminess in Upper Bavaria: Car Covers and Warnings
Furchstenfeldbruck locals take precautions, covering their cars with winter-like coverings as the DWD predicts massive hailstones and powerful wind gusts.
The storms might actually produce hailstones larger than eight centimeters and winds faster than 120 km/h (Bft 12), according to the DWD. Such extreme storms pose a significant risk to people, buildings, and nature alike. The violent thunderstorms could inch slowly eastward throughout the night.
DWD Warns of High Storm Potential
This weather advisory aims to enable timely preventive measures, stating that storms with the mentioned characteristics tend to occur locally and impact only a few areas with great intensity, according to the DWD. More exact details about the location, extent, and timing of the storm are only forthcoming with official alerts. "Keep a close eye on weather forecasts," advises the DWD.
[Enrichment Note: Similar storms recently affected neighboring regions, causing widespread damage and disruptions.]
[Enrichment Note: The storm resulted in over 200 flight delays/cancellations at Munich Airport and a Ryanair emergency landing, causing injuries.]
[Enrichment Note: The storm's impact extended to sports events, with UEFA monitoring a major match in Munich despite initial concerns.]
The German Weather Service (DWD) had previously forecasted severe thunderstorms with hailstones up to five centimeters in diameter, 100 km/h gusts (Bft 10), and heavy rains for the region. Despite the storm moving eastward and leaving Munich in the clear, the DWD warns that similar storms could still pose a significant risk to people, buildings, and nature, and urges residents to keep a close eye on weather forecasts for potential weather-forecasting alerts.
