Overview
- The German weather service (DWD) has issued widespread severe-weather warnings for Friday, including violet (highest) alerts in parts of Saxony-Anhalt for up to 40–60 liters of rain per square meter, large hail and orkan-like wind gusts.
- Storms have already caused major disruption with flooded streets, fallen trees, large emergency operations and at least one confirmed death when a tree struck a cyclist in Karlsruhe.
- Municipal services report heavy strain on roads, airports and emergency crews as crews respond to dozens to hundreds of local incidents and traffic accidents linked to sudden downpours and gusts.
- Munich’s emergency ban on nonessential use of drinking water remains in force through August 1 after the measure cut daily consumption from about 400 million to under 330 million liters, showing immediate savings while drought concerns persist.
- Forecasters expect a marked cooldown over the weekend as the low moves away, and meteorologists say another 40°C heatwave is very unlikely in the short term though summer still carries a residual risk of extreme events and increased pressure on infrastructure and emergency services.