Thunderstorms issued a warning, resulting in minimal damage.
In a nutshell: Baden-Württemberg faced severe weather last week, with intense thunderstorms and heavy downpours. Emergency services were dispatched several times due to fallen trees and flooded roads. The rainfall recorded was almost unheard-of, reaching up to 60 liters per square meter in some areas, with no weather warnings for the upcoming days.
Now let's dive deeper into this weather calamity that the southern German region of Baden-Württemberg experienced during late May and early June 2024. The heavy rainfall led to significant flooding, causing widespread disruption, evacuations, and substantial insured losses across the region[1][2][3].
The flooding, driven by a moisture-laden low-pressure system from the Mediterranean, resulted in some of the highest rainfall totals in decades. Some areas in the Stuttgart-Munich corridor recorded rainfall exceeding the 1-in-100-year return period[2]. This was especially challenging as the ground was already saturated due to the third-wettest May on record, making it less able to absorb additional rainfall[2].
The event led to dozens of villages being evacuated, extensive property damage, and notable impacts on infrastructure and agriculture[1][2]. Most of the insured losses in southern Germany—more than 96%—came from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria[2][3]. Personal lines property losses accounted for 63% of damages, while commercial lines made up 37%[2][3]. The flooding in 2024 mainly affected the south-west of Germany, with Baden-Württemberg being a main focal point[1][2].
In contrast to the tumultuous weather of the past, the DWD predicts the start of a new week will bring calm weather. While today might still be cloudy and rainy, the week will become sunnier with temperatures reaching up to 31 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday[4]. So don't forget to enjoy the sunshine as it emerges after the storm!
[1] Reuters. (2024, June 1). Heavy rain hits Germany's southern Baden-Wuerttemberg region, flooding roads and homes. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/heavy-rain-hits-germany-southern-baden-wuerttemberg-region-flooding-roads-2024-05-31/
[2] DWD (2024, June 7). Extreme rainfall event in Southern Germany and its impact on insured losses. Retrieved from https://www.dwd.de/DE/power/ressort05-wetterlehrenmehr/dwd_news_07-06-2024.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
[3] Munich Re. (2024, June 16). Severe flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, Germany. Retrieved from https://www.munichre.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024/severe-flooding-in-baden-wuerttemberg-and-bavaria-germany-12001907.html
[4] DWD (2024, May 30). Weather forecast for the coming week. Retrieved from https://www.dwd.de/DE/power/ressort05-wetterlehrenmehr/dwd_wetterprognose.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=11
Despite the devastating weather incident in Baden-Württemberg last week, the DWD expects the upcoming week to be calmer, with sunny weather and temperatures reaching up to 31 degrees Celsius later in the week. However, the heavy rainfall and flooding experienced by the region in late May and early June 2024 were a result of weather-forecasting oversights and had a profound impact on the region, as per the reports from DWD, Reuters, and Munich Re.
