Unsettling Storm in Ulm: Could it be a Tornado?
Potential Twister Spotted in Ulm - Storm Warning in Ulm: Possible Tornado in the Offenbach Area
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) in Offenbach is pondering the possibility of a whirlwind having passed through Ulm-Donaustetten during the small hours of Thursday. While a brief, spontaneous whirlwind can't be definitively ruled out, Adrian Leyser, a DWD meteorologist, voiced his doubt, stating that only an on-site assessment can shed light on the matter. The assessment is likely to occur in the subsequent few days.
Initially, the DWD in Stuttgart didn't believe a whirlwind had formed. "We lean towards skepticism. We believe it wasn't a whirlwind," commented a meteorologist in the morning.
The Ulm fire department received testimonies from witnesses describing a whirlwind. "However, we suspect it was a powerful wind vortex that caused the destruction here," says Adrian Röhrle, commander of the fire department in Ulm.
Roofs under strain
During the night into Thursday, the roofs of several row houses in Ulm's Donaustetten district were stripped bare, making them uninhabitable. According to the fire department, no one was hurt. "In this area, particularly in two or three streets, a powerful wind or a small wind vortex occurred. There, two and a half row houses were partially roofed and are currently uninhabitable," says Röhrle.
The power supply was cut off in the affected buildings. In addition, emergency chaplains are attending to the residents. The future habitation of the residents will be determined at a later stage.
According to the police, there was extensive damage to parked vehicles, buildings, and gardens in Donaustetten. "These were damaged by dislodged roof tiles or toppled trees. The damages in the Donaustetten area alone are estimated to be 500,000 euros," said a police spokesman.
"A wild sensation"
The affected resident, Tobias Schmidt, shared his experience: "I was in the office when a sudden loud noise was heard from outside. All the vehicles were damaged." He rushed outside immediately and was left in awe. His comparatively new car has sustained considerable damage.
"My car means a lot to me, especially because it's relatively new. I'm not eager to do without it for a few months," he expresses his sadness and shock. "Over time, I can almost laugh about it because it's so surreal and melancholic that it already seems absurd."
Schmidt lives directly neighboring the house with the missing roof. He heard from the neighbors that even the stairwell is soaked. "They won't be able to return anytime soon," he adds. All the neighbors rushed outside. "That's quite an extraordinary sensation," he said.
The DWD expert commented on the storm's path: "It was evident from the start that Baden-Württemberg would only experience a light brushing and not suffer through this high-risk weather. Between 6 PM and 7 PM, a line of thunderstorms formed in the border region from the Allgäu to the Ostalb. The strongest readings were recorded there. 'It was clear from the beginning that Bavaria would be more affected due to the higher temperature gradient,'" he concluded.
The weather forecast is sunny.
Today, there is only a minimal risk of thunderstorms in the Swabian Alb region. "Otherwise, we are looking at a relaxing day. However, we can anticipate showers and occasional thunderstorms, primarily from Friday to Sunday," he added. "Following that, we can expect high-pressure weather. 'From Monday, it will feel like summer' is the forecast," the meteorologist concluded.
- Whirlwind
- Ulm
- Offenbach
- DWD
- Stormy Weather
- Stuttgart
- Fire Department
- Vehicle
- Adrian Leyser
- As the DWD in Offenbach investigates the potential whirlwind incident in Ulm, it might be worth considering the role of environmental-science and science in understanding the risks associated with such weather events, and proposing mitigation measures.
- In the aftermath of the storm in Ulm, depending on the findings of the DWD assessment, measures could be taken to protect workers from the potential risks related to exposure to debris and the environmental impacts of repair and reconstruction efforts, particularly for those engaged in the science of weather and meteorology.
