By Euronews
Published on
ADVEReadNOWISEMENT
Meteorologists are talking about a “summer monsoon” – an area of high pressure over the Mediterranean and Scandinavia is causing sweltering heat, while a disturbance has settled directly over Germany, causing continuous torrential rain. What is particularly striking is that this type of disturbance hardly moves and remains almost stationary over certain regions.
The focus of this weather situation will be over southern Germany over the next few days.
The German Weather Service (DWD) is warning of heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms, with up to 150 litres of rain per square metre possible in southern Germany by Tuesday. The thunderstorms at the weekend are mainly concentrated in the southern regions of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
At the beginning of the week, the rain front swings in over the Alps. South of a line from Saarland to Dresden, precipitation is to be expected again and again up to and including Tuesday – partly showery, in places with thunderstorms, hail and strong to stormy gusts.
Between the Black Forest and the Bavarian Forest, especially south of the Danube, there is an increased risk of heavy rainfall. Localised flooding and high water may occur.
North of a line from Saarland to Saxony, the weather will often be friendlier – with repeated clearings and longer sunny spells. However, occasional showers or isolated thunderstorms are possible.
Only temporarily “midsummery” again
For Wednesday, 30 July, there are signs of a brief calming of the weather overall: An extension of the Azores High will temporarily push the remaining disturbances eastwards. Large parts of Germany will see more sunshine and temperatures will climb back up to a summery 27 degrees in some places.
However, this friendly spell of weather is likely to be short-lived.
According to current model calculations, the area of high pressure will not be able to maintain itself in the long term. The overriding weather situation leaves room for new disruptive systems to settle over southern and south-eastern Germany in particular.
Big differences within Europe
An extreme heatwave over Sweden and Norway is slowly subsiding. In parts near the Arctic Circle, up to 13 consecutive days of heat were measured. However, the heat could return as early as next week.
In Portugal, temperatures are currently normal for this time of year and the weather warnings are at “yellow” level. There was a massive heatwave there at the end of June, which apparently led to excess mortality, particularly among older people.
Italy is currently enjoying moderate weather, with isolated showers and temperatures of around 25 degrees.
In Spain, there are currently frequent showers in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, but it is hot in the south of the country, with temperatures of 34-36 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in Spain are generally lower compared to other years.