Western Europe is bracing for a meteorological onslaught as low-pressure system Xania approaches, promising days of intense weather. The collision of tropical air with cooler Atlantic currents is set to unleash a series of violent storms across the region.
Germany finds itself in the eye of the storm, with a band of thunderstorms expected to sweep from Hamburg in the north through Thuringia and down to Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in the south. Meteorologists warn of severe hailstorms and cloudbursts, with rainfall potentially reaching 60 liters per square meter. As Xania intensifies from Friday, the German Weather Service cautions that extreme precipitation could lead to flooding, with up to 150 liters per square meter predicted in some areas.
Italy faces an even grimmer forecast, with projections of up to 200 liters of rain per square meter, raising alarms about widespread flooding. The situation in France and northern Spain is equally concerning, with both regions set to experience heavy downpours.
The weather system’s impact stems from a unique atmospheric cocktail: scorching desert air over Germany will mix with cooler air masses above France, resulting in torrential rains and subsequent flooding in western and southwestern Germany.
However, there’s a silver lining on the horizon. Once Xania passes and temperatures drop post-storms, the region is expected to return to pleasant late summer conditions. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic appears to be spared from these extremes, with meteorologist Dagmar Honsová predicting warm air flows, sunny skies, and only occasional, localized showers or thunderstorms for the country.