Overview

• Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain earlier this week caused flooding and mudslides in regions such as the Harz and Upper Bavaria, mobilizing over 200 emergency responders.
• The German Weather Service (DWD) issued warnings for up to 50 liters of rainfall per square meter in central Germany, leading to localized flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
• As of Friday morning, rainfall is subsiding, and a high-pressure system, Hoch Petra, is establishing stable, sunny weather expected to last through the weekend and beyond.
• Meteorologists warn that recent rains failed to alleviate Germany's historic spring precipitation deficit, leaving soils critically dry and increasing the risk of summer droughts and wildfires.
• Residents are advised to remain cautious in flood-affected areas, while drought conditions are expected to worsen under prolonged dry weather.