Severe storms in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeast of the country – one missing person was found dead on Sunday, three people are still missing. The German weather service is expecting a summer interlude in the coming days. You can read all about the current situation in the weather ticker.

11.15 a.m.: After a sunny start to the week, it is getting increasingly hotter in Germany – and with it the risk of thunderstorms is increasing again. High pressure “Bie” is slowly saying goodbye, and a low pressure system over the Mediterranean is pushing moist and hot air from the southeast into Germany,” says meteorologist Sonja Stöckle from the German Weather Service in Offenbach. “As a result, the risk of showers and thunderstorms will initially increase in Bavaria, and from the middle of the week also in central and northern Germany.”

According to the DWD, temperatures will already exceed 30 degrees in some places on Tuesday and the nights will also gradually become warmer. “This will primarily benefit football fans, who will be able to fully celebrate their goals and victory in pleasant temperatures,” says Stöckle. Tropical nights – i.e. with temperatures of at least 20 degrees – cannot be ruled out in some places on Thursday night and Friday night.

The forecasts in detail

According to the forecast, it will be sunny on Tuesday. There may be isolated showers or heavy thunderstorms from the southern Black Forest to the Inn from the afternoon onwards. Maximum temperatures will be 22 degrees on the North Sea and up to 30 degrees along the Rhine. There will also be a light to moderate wind blowing from the east.

On Wednesday, the sky in the south will be cloudy in the morning and showers may develop in some areas. Over the course of the day, the risk of showers and thunderstorms may spread from the south to the center of the country. The DWD warns of local severe weather due to heavy rain. Temperatures will reach up to 23 degrees in the Upper Allgäu and up to 32 degrees in southern Brandenburg.

According to the forecast, Thursday will be partly cloudy and partly sunny for longer periods. In some areas there is a significantly increased risk of showers or thunderstorms, and there may also be heavy rain and hail locally. Maximum temperatures will be between 25 and 32 degrees.

As temperatures rise, so does the demand for outdoor pools and bathing lakes, says meteorologist Stöckle – and warns at the same time: “When it comes to solar radiation, however, you also have to pay attention to the UV index, which is rising to very high values ​​in some areas.”

Monday, June 24, 8:37 a.m.: Six hydroelectric power plants have been shut down as a precaution after the severe storm in the Swiss Misox Valley. Some were damaged, reported the energy company Axpo on Monday. Two people were still missing near Lostallo in the Misox Valley. Their houses were swept away in a landslide on Friday evening. Originally four people were missing: a woman was rescued on Saturday morning, the body of a man was found several kilometers away on Sunday.

The energy company said that all the power plants were in a safe condition. Two could be put back into operation quickly. Four other plants require more extensive repairs.

4.30 p.m.: After severe storms, landslides and floods have caused considerable damage in Switzerland. A missing person was recovered dead from a river in the Misox Valley in Graubünden on Sunday, and there was little hope for two others.

“When we look at the debris and the huge amounts of rubble, the chances of survival (…) are relatively low,” said a police spokesman. People’s houses were destroyed on Friday evening. A woman was found and rescued on Saturday morning.

Sunday, June 23, 2024, 11:33 a.m.: In the coming days, the weather in Germany is expected to become more summery. “Anyone who has had enough of showers, thunderstorms and temperatures that are more spring-like or autumnal than summery should enjoy the coming days,” said meteorologist Martin Jonas of the German Weather Service (DWD) on Sunday. According to the forecast, Monday will be mostly sunny, with at most a few clouds. Thermometers will rise to a maximum of 23 to 28 degrees, and temperatures of up to 20 degrees are expected on the coasts. Isolated showers and thunderstorms could only occur near the Alps.

According to meteorologists, Tuesday will also be sunny. It will remain dry in most parts of the country, with isolated showers and thunderstorms expected between the Alps and the southern Black Forest. Maximum temperatures will be between 24 and 30 degrees. During the night into Wednesday, the weather forecast calls for showery rain in some areas in the extreme south, and local thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.

Wednesday will start sunny and dry before thick clouds move in from the south. The risk of showers and thunderstorms will then increase from the south to the middle of Germany. In the north it will remain sunny until the evening. The expected maximum temperatures will be between 23 degrees in the Upper Allgäu and up to 32 degrees locally in Brandenburg.

11.02 a.m.: Four people were buried under mud and debris in Switzerland during severe storms. A woman was rescued alive early Saturday morning in the Misox Valley north of Lake Como in the canton of Graubünden, the cantonal police reported. Three other residents of houses in a cone of debris are still being searched for. The situation was also tense in the tourist town of Zermatt, around 100 kilometers further west as the crow flies. The village on the Matterhorn was cut off from the outside world because the train route and an access road were closed. However, all residents and guests were safe, emphasized mayor Romy Biner-Hauser on Swiss television. Further rainfall was forecast over the course of the weekend.

Saturday, June 22nd, 8:53 a.m.: Four people are missing after severe storms in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeast of the country. There have been numerous thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, flooding and a landslide since Friday, as the cantonal police reported on Saturday. The Misox valley south of the San Bernardino Pass on the Italian border was particularly affected. Several dozen people were evacuated from their homes there as a precaution. Streets were flooded. The police warned against entering cellars or underground car parks and called on the population to stay away from the flooded waters. A section of motorway on the border with Italy had to be closed due to a landslide.

The situation was also tense in Zermatt in the canton of Valais. Two small rivers overflowed their banks in the tourist town on the Matterhorn on Friday. The train line between Visp and Zermatt remained closed for the time being due to the risk of flooding, the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway announced on Saturday morning. The road into the town was also closed. Mayor Romy Biner-Hauser assured Swiss radio that all holiday guests were safe. Those who were unable to arrive or depart would be provided with accommodation.

9.14 p.m.: Severe storms also in Germany’s neighboring countries. The Swiss tourist town of Zermatt on the Matterhorn was cut off from the outside world on Friday due to storms. The Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway suspended its operations on the Visp-Zermatt route, it announced. There was a replacement bus service from Visp to Täsch, but the road from Täsch to Zermatt was closed. Therefore, the town cannot be reached by rail or road, the railway company announced.

In Zermatt itself, the severe storms caused landslides and flooding. The municipality closed the schools. In Täsch, where drivers have to park if they want to go to car-free Zermatt, a campsite was cleared as a precaution.

3:50 p.m.: A supercell is currently moving towards Berlin and is already close to the capital. The direction of travel is southeast of Berlin towards the airport. The weather model shows increased rotation in the cell at two points – there is therefore an increased risk of tornadoes here.

You can read more about the current weather conditions on the next pages.