Whopper Storms Wreak Havoc in Bavaria
A Tumultuous Night for the Free State
Severe thunderstorms disrupt soccer semi-final kickoff in Bavaria - Stormy skies over Bavaria - The football semi-final gets off to a delayed start
Trouble brewed in Bavaria late one evening, with the German Meteorological Service (DWD) issuing a stern warning about extremely intense thunderstorms to come. The ominous forecast wasn't out of place; hail, fierce winds, and torrential rain were in store to turn the state upside down.
Stormy Skies, Hail Halts Football Match
One of the most significant setbacks happened in Munich, where a Nations League semi-final against Portugal was delayed. The skies were already receiving a peek of the impending storm before the match, halting the German national team's warm-up session with monstrous hailstones. Despite the unfriendly weather conditions, the players returned to the pitch later.
Pummeled Spectators, Seeking Shelter in a Hurry
Wet and cold, the spectators hurriedly sought cover, adorning makeshift umbrellas or fleeing back to the shelter of the stadium stands.
DWD: What a Chaotic Night Awaits Bavaria
The forecast was grim. Official storm warnings were sounding for large parts of Bavaria, with meteorologists predicting thunderstorms of level 3 out of 4. This impending storm surge posed a risk of lightning strikes, fallen trees and branches, and other hazardous conditions like swift basements flooding, landslides, aquaplaning, and hail. Staying indoors was the recommended course of action.
A DWD meteorologist was on record, warning of heavy rainfalls of over 40 liters per hour, winds gusting up to 100 kilometers per hour, and hailstones as big as three centimeters.
Not Much Drama in the Aftermath
Although precipitation records were broken, a review of the event found no significant incidents or damages later in the night. Some wet basements and fallen tree incidents were reported. Yet, a police spokesperson in Straubing expressed relief, stating it seemed the weather had passed. Similar reports arrived from the Upper Palatinate, Middle Franconia, and Swabia, which were all under warning.
Flashback: Yesterday's Havoc
A night prior, there were outbreaks of destructive thunderstorms in the Free State as well. Walls of hail in Wallgau (Garmisch-Partenkirchen) halted local activities, compelling the residents to get out their shovels to clean streets and properties. However, emergency services reported only the usual storm deployments like flooded streets, basements, and fallen trees.
[1] Supercell and shelf clouds development[2] Injuries and emergency landings due to turbulent storms[3] http://www.dwd.de[4] German police response to storms disturbances
- Thunderstorms
- Supercells
- Shelf clouds
- Bavaria
- Storm
- DWD
- Free State
- Munich
- Swabia
- Gusts
- Middle Franconia
- Upper Palatinate
- Switzerland
- Football national team
- Portugal
- Hail
- Infrastructure impact
- Casualties
- Emergency services
- Ryanair flight
- The sudden and severe thunderstorms in Bavaria not only disrupted the football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, but also posed a risk of injuries, fallen trees, and flooding, according to the German Meteorological Service (DWD).
- In the days leading up to the football match, the community of Bavaria was warned about the potential for destructive supercell and shelf clouds formations, as well as the possibility of hail and strong winds that could impact infrastructure and cause casualties.
