As the Czech Republic swelters under intense heat, meteorologists have issued a stark warning: powerful thunderstorms are on the horizon. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) has announced that most of the country, except for its northwestern edge, will be affected by severe storms on Saturday.
These impending storms are not to be taken lightly. Wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, and hail is possible. The ČHMÚ cautions that these storms may be accompanied by torrential rainfall, with precipitation amounts around 40 mm and even higher in repeated occurrences.
The timing of these storms varies across the country. In Bohemia, the storm activity is expected to weaken later in the afternoon. However, Moravia and Silesia may experience strong storms until late evening, potentially continuing into the early hours of Sunday.
The meteorological office has issued two separate storm warnings. One covers the period from Saturday morning to midnight for regions including Hradec Králové, Pardubice, Vysočina, South Moravia, Olomouc, Zlín, and Moravia-Silesia. The other warning, effective from 10 AM to 7 PM, applies to Prague, Central Bohemia, South Bohemia, Plzeň, Liberec, Hradec Králové, and Vysočina regions.
Adding to the weather woes, high-temperature warnings remain in effect until Friday evening. Southern Moravia could see temperatures climb to 34°C in the afternoon, with slightly lower but still sweltering temperatures expected in Bohemia.
Amidst these weather alerts, a fire risk warning for South Moravia remains in place until further notice, highlighting the diverse weather challenges facing different parts of the country.
As the Czech Republic grapples with this volatile weather, residents and visitors are advised to stay informed about local conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.