Germany braces for weekend weather shift with hail and heavy rain

Germany is set for a dramatic weather change this weekend as a low-pressure system moves in, bringing an end to recent warm conditions and ushering in a period of unsettled weather. The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued warnings for severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds across several regions.

The shift is expected to begin Thursday afternoon, with the southern regions of Rhineland-Palatinate and the Black Forest likely to be the first affected. By evening, the risk will spread across Baden-Württemberg and into Bavaria. The DWD forecasts localized downpours of up to 40 liters per square meter in a short period, accompanied by large hailstones, potentially reaching three centimeters in diameter. In the southwest, hailstones up to five centimeters are not entirely ruled out, along with the possibility of storm or even hurricane-force gusts.

Friday will see the low-pressure system move over the North Sea, fueling thunderstorms across many parts of the country. Heavy rain, hail, and strong gusts are anticipated, with precipitation potentially reaching 50 liters per square meter in some areas. The reduced sunshine will also lead to cooler temperatures, generally staying below 30 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the northwest will experience cooler Atlantic air, with a lower risk of thunderstorms.

As the weekend progresses, the intensity of the severe weather is expected to decrease. Temperatures will drop further, ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, and conditions will become windier. Sunday may bring isolated showers and brief graupel storms, with maximum temperatures only reaching 17 to 21 degrees Celsius. The overall forecast indicates a significant cooling trend and a return to more typical summer weather after the weekend's disturbances.