The storm low “Ignatz” began its course over Germany early Thursday morning. This year’s first strong autumn storm brought violent wind gusts in many places, as well as thunderstorms and rain in places.
Winds over 100 km/h
On Thursday, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) predicts strong gusts and in places hurricane-force winds that could reach speeds of up to 105 kilometers per hour in a belt of central, eastern and northeastern Germany. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the DWD expects wind gusts of 85 to 110 kilometers per hour – especially stormy along the Baltic Sea coast.
Possible tornadoes in Lower Saxony
The possibility of “short-lived” tornadoes cannot be completely ruled out in Lower Saxony. Even strong winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour can occur in the mountains.
Initially, the police situation centers had no reports of serious damage; in isolated cases the wind uprooted trees, but according to reports from Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg there was no serious damage. In Delmenhorst, Lower Saxony, a man was struck by a falling branch on Wednesday evening, but suffered only light injuries, according to police.
Deutsche Bahn warns of possible train cancellations
Deutsche Bahn has warned of possible train cancellations or delays due to the storm. There were isolated restrictions on regional services in NRW this morning. Deutsche Bahn informed travelers via Twitter that the S-Bahn line between Dortmund-Kley and the main station in Bochum was closed. Detours have been put in place in both directions. For the Eurobahn train RE13 between Hamm main station and Venlo, delays were reported on the Düsseldorf – Venlo section due to the “current weather situation”.
Tornadoes are not ruled out in the north either
In the northern part of Germany, meteorological services warn of thunderstorms with strong winds of up to 105 kilometers per hour, which may move towards the east. So-called “short-lived tornadoes” have also not been ruled out.
According to DWD, winds will weaken from the west in the afternoon. Overall, it will be cooler. Temperatures on Thursday will range from 15 to 18 degrees, with 12 to 15 degrees in the west and north.
source: www.welt.de