Overview
- The Deutscher Wetterdienst has active thunderstorm warnings that cover large parts of western and southern Germany and these warnings were expanded to Orange and Red levels on Tuesday as the situation intensified.
- Forecasters say slow-moving cells can produce very heavy short-term rainfall of roughly 15–40 liters per square meter and locally higher totals that can overwhelm drains and cause flash floods.
- Meteorological guidance and reports cite damaging wind gusts commonly near 85–90 km/h with exposed areas able to see gusts up to about 100–110 km/h and hail in spots up to 2–3 cm in diameter.
- After an explosive weekend of heat-driven storms that left uprooted trees, flooded basements and at least two fatalities, the hazard is shifting to repeated or prolonged downpours that raise the risk of accumulative flooding over the coming days.
- Authorities urge people to monitor the DWD live‑map, secure outdoor furniture, move vehicles to cover, close cellar openings and avoid low-lying underpasses during heavy rain and thunderstorms.