Northern Germany braces for severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and storm gusts

Northern Germany braces for a dramatic shift in summer weather as powerful thunderstorms are forecast to hit on Friday afternoon. The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued warnings for widespread severe weather, including heavy rain, hail, and strong gusts of wind across large parts of the region.

While the day begins with summery warmth, with temperatures potentially reaching 31 degrees Celsius in parts of Lower Saxony, dense clouds are expected to roll in from the west by late morning. The DWD anticipates significant thunderstorms, particularly in Lower Saxony and Bremen, bringing up to 25 liters of rain per square meter in a short period, along with hail and severe storm gusts. Some areas west of the Weser river could even experience hurricane-force winds of 90 to 110 kilometers per hour.

Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein are also expected to face considerable thunderstorms, though the risk of extreme weather is slightly lower. Meteorologists predict locally severe storm gusts reaching around 100 kilometers per hour, with the DWD noting the highest concentration of these events between Dithmarschen and Lauenburg.

The turbulent weather is forecast to move eastward overnight into Saturday, bringing a noticeable calm. Saturday is expected to be mostly friendly and sunny, with coastal temperatures ranging from 18 to 23 degrees Celsius and up to 25 degrees inland. A moderate northwest wind will prevail. Sunday should continue this pleasant trend, with a mix of sun and clouds after morning fog, and only isolated showers are expected. Coastal temperatures will be between 17 and 19 degrees, reaching up to 24 degrees inland. The weekend promises a blend of summer warmth and fresh North Sea air after a stormy start.