On August 30th, the Czech Republic experienced heavy rain and storms, with some areas receiving up to 20 millimeters of precipitation in just one hour. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) issued a warning for thunderstorms and floods that is in effect until Tuesday night.
According to meteorologists, the storms and rain originated in Austria and Bavaria and are characterized by “convective character (even with occasional lightning activity).” The ČHMÚ warned of the risk of flash floods due to the trajectory of the storms and the potential for multiple storm cells to move over the same area. Hail is also a possibility in some areas.
The ČHMÚ issued several warnings for Monday afternoon and Tuesday, with the most severe warnings for the Czech Republic. Some areas could receive up to 40 millimeters of rain in six hours, with up to 60 millimeters in 24 hours. In Moravia and Silesia, there is a risk of powerful storms with short-term intense precipitation of up to 50 millimeters.
Meteorologists cautioned that the heavy rain could cause water levels in rivers and streams to rise. The highest risk is in parts of the Plzeň and South Bohemian regions.
In neighboring Germany, the weather has also been unpredictable. Heavy rain and rising water levels in rivers and streams have led to warnings from the German Meteorological Service for much of southern Bavaria. In Rosenheim, several streets and bicycle paths were already flooded by noon on Monday, and some cities’ water level is rapidly rising.
The recent storms have caused damage to crops worth tens of millions of crowns and have also warned the mountain rescue service against hiking in the Beskids due to the risk of falling trees and branches.