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Stuttgart Weather Update: Severe Flooding Threat
Southern Germany, including areas near Stuttgart, is bracing for severe flooding. Heavy rainfall and potential dam failures are causing major concerns. The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued warnings, urging residents to take precautions.
Current Situation and Forecasts
The flood crisis, exacerbated by multiple dam breaches in Bavaria, continues to escalate. The DWD predicts relentless rainfall throughout the week, with some areas potentially receiving up to 70 liters of rain per square meter. Strong thunderstorms are expected, particularly in eastern and southern Germany, with the Alpine foothills and areas south of Stuttgart facing the most intense downpours.
- Monday's forecast: Strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, especially in eastern and southern Germany. Areas south of Munich and Stuttgart are under warning level 2 (severe weather).
- Tuesday's forecast: Heavy rain forecast for some areas, particularly in the Bavarian Forest and the Alps.
- Beyond Tuesday: Thunderstorms are expected to continue in southern and eastern Germany until Thursday, but with decreasing intensity. A potential stabilization is predicted for Friday and Saturday.
Meteorologist Dominik Jung from Wetter.net warns that the extreme flooding could persist for several days, emphasizing that weakened dams remain a significant threat. River levels, especially the Danube, are expected to continue rising until at least June 4th.
Areas Most Affected
Several regions are facing the brunt of the heavy rainfall and rising river levels:
- Significant Rainfall: Parts of Swabia (40-50 liters per square meter in 18 hours), parts of Upper Bavaria (40-50 liters per square meter in 18 hours), and Upper and Lower Allgäu (up to 65 liters per square meter).
- Rising River Levels: Regensburg, Passau, Neu-Ulm, Günzburg, Wangen, Leutkirch, and Isny are among the areas experiencing significant river level increases. Even areas with less rainfall are experiencing rising water levels due to overflow from other regions.
The Rhine's water level near Mainz is also expected to rise significantly.
Impact and Warnings
The severe weather is impacting various aspects of life in southern Germany. Numerous events have been canceled, including fan zones for the EURO 2024 football tournament in cities like Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, and Gelsenkirchen. There are also concerns about potential disruptions to transportation and other essential services.
The DWD continues to issue severe weather warnings and urges residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions. The situation is expected to remain critical until at least midweek, with Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder cautioning that river levels will continue to rise due to tributary inflows.
Stuttgart Specific Concerns
While the immediate Stuttgart area is currently under warning level 2, the ongoing situation necessitates close monitoring of weather reports and official announcements. The potential for severe thunderstorms and flooding remains a serious concern.
Conclusion
The severe weather and flooding threat in southern Germany, particularly affecting areas near Stuttgart, is a serious and evolving situation. Residents are urged to heed the warnings from the DWD and local authorities, stay informed about the latest forecasts, and take necessary steps to protect themselves and their property. The situation is expected to remain critical for several days.
