All About Central Germany's Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe thunderstorms forewarned in the Highlands and the Ore Mountains, as per weather advisory.
June 15th, 2025, our beloved weather service has issued a level 3 warning (out of 4) for severe thunderstorms in the Vogtland and Erzgebirge districts. Stay tuned until around 19:00, as danger lurks with possible lightning strikes and falling trees posing a risk to life. The warning urges vigilance for falling and falling objects, which may include branches, tiles, construction scaffolding, and more.
After a scorching hot Sunday with temperatures up to 33 degrees Celsius, it appears thunderstorms will roll into other parts of Saxony. Dive into the details on our website's weather studio; dark clouds are on their way from the west to bring showers and heavy thunderstorms with high potential for severe weather.
Pro Tips for Thunderstorm Season
Stay informed about storm developments by checking local weather forecasts and alerts. Learn the German Unwetterwarnung system to better understand the severity of storms and prepare accordingly. MeteoAlarm is a helpful app that provides early warnings for extreme weather conditions.
Stay Away from High-Risk areas
Secure All Outdoor Items
Find Safe Shelter
Power Outages and Communication Prep
Emergency Prep Kit
Avoid Flooded Areas
Follow these simple precautions to minimize risks during severe thunderstorms, especially in the Vogtland and Erzgebirge districts.
Extra Facts and Tips
- Suggested Reading - Learn about the dangers of solar storms and Earth's protective magnetic field in this insightful article
- Helpful North Lights Viewing Tips for Stargazers - Take a gander into the night sky after thunderstorms pass; here's an article to help you spot those beautiful natural lights!
Find shelter when thunder roars, stay inside 'til hour's end
Severe thunderstorm safety tips - adapted and reorganized for smoother reading:
Stay Safe
- Monitor the weather forecasts continuously to stay updated on potential dangers during storms.
- Pay attention to the German Unwetterwarnung system for the severity category of warnings.
- Postpone outdoor activities, especially near open fields, bodies of water, or trees during severe thunderstorms.
- If caught outdoors, quickly find shelter in a strong building or hard-topped vehicle.
Secure Outdoor Items
- Store any outdoor furniture, trash cans, or other large items in a secure place to avoid damage from strong winds.
- Ensure all windows and doors are securely shut during the storm.
Find Shelter
- If outside, seek shelter immediately in a strong building or hard-topped vehicle.
- If in a vehicle, pull over safely and avoid driving through flooded areas.
Power Outages and Communication
- Keep flashlights, battery-powered radios, and mobile phones charged to prepare for potential power outages.
Emergency Prep Kit
- Assemble an emergency kit filled with essentials such as first aid supplies, water, non-perishable food, and basic tools.
- Familiarize yourself with emergency contact numbers and evacuation plans in case of serious storm warnings.
#### Avoid Flooded Areas
- Refrain from venturing into flooded areas, as they can conceal hidden hazards like fallen power lines.
Light Up the Night
The night sky may have been the scene of the stunning Northern Lights spectacle during the previous two nights in some places. These beautiful auroras were triggered by a mass ejection of charged particles from the sun headed towards Earth[5]. It's never a guarantee, but photographers can keep their cameras ready and potentially catch a glimpse if they stay up in the wee hours of the night.
A Few Fun Facts
- Did you know that a severe thunderstorm can generate winds in excess of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h)?[4]
- Thunderstorms also contribute to rainfall, holding critical roles in our global water cycle[6]
Stay informed and make the best of stormy weather
View the latest Saxony weather forecast
Learn more about the Day of the Open Gardens 2025 in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia
Source: Web article dated June 15th, 2025, from our website SACHSEN
[1] German Weather Service, https://www.dwd.de/DE/[2] MeteoAlarm, https://www.meteoalarm.eu/de/warnungen/standorte:de/hier:hier/periode:tagesberichte[3] Unwetterwarnung, https://www.dwd.de/DE/wetter/warnungen/unwetterwarnung/dwd_17356.html[4] National Severe Storms Laboratory, https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/thunder.html[5] Ready.gov, https://www.ready.gov/thunderstorms[6] Water Cycle, National Weather Service, https://www.weather.gov/ndc/watercycle
Enrichment Data:
- The German Weather Service categorizes storms from level 1 to level 4, with higher levels representing greater severity.
- Severe thunderstorms can produce temperatures as low as freezing during the central part of the storm in a phenomenon known as "hail-producing precipitation."
- Golf-sized hail, a hailstone with a diameter of around 2.5 inches (6.5 cm), has caused significant damage in several documented weather events.
- Meteorologists use radar systems, like the WSR-88D, to track and predict the movement of severe thunderstorms.
- The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gas molecules in Earth's atmosphere, causing a vivid display of colors in the sky, primarily green but also red, pink, purple, and blue.
- The Sun's corononal mass ejections, coupled with geomagnetic storms, can disrupt satellite operations and cause power grid fluctuations on Earth.
- Solar flares and coronal mass ejections can enhance the beauty of the Northern Lights, making them more visible.
- The Aurora Borealis is generally visible during periods of solar activity called the solar maximum, which occurs approximately 11 years apart.
- To capture the most spectacular displays of the Northern Lights, photographers usually use long exposure times, fast aperture, and using a sturdy tripod to reduce camera shake.
- The colors of the Northern Lights can vary depending on the type and altitude of the charged particles and the specific molecules they collide with in Earth's atmosphere, leading to the beautiful spectral hues we see.
- Stay updated on the weather forecasts, including severe thunderstorms, by checking local weather forecasts and apps like MeteoAlarm, which provides early warnings for extreme weather conditions.
- Prepare for severe thunderstorms by learning the German Unwetterwarnung system to better understand the severity of storms and take appropriate precautions, such as seeking shelter in a strong building or hard-topped vehicle, and securing all outdoor items.