Overview
- The Deutscher Wetterdienst issued high‑level warnings across large parts of Germany as thunderstorms moved from the northwest into the centre and south, with Alarmstufe Rot declared for parts of Bavaria.
- The storm sequence intensified on Sunday, 31 May, and produced confirmed extreme observations including gusts around 123 km/h near Cologne/Bonn, local rainfall bursts up to roughly 50 l/m² and hail to several centimetres.
- Emergency services reported hundreds of deployments for flooded basements, fallen trees and building damage, while rail and road networks were disrupted and an Open‑Air concert in Münster was halted.
- A rain‑related aquaplaning crash on the B35 near Bruchsal in Baden‑Württemberg killed two people and left others injured, and authorities recorded additional storm injuries and property losses across several states.
- Meteorologists say the heat wave has been displaced and forecast a cooler, unsettled week with continued risk of local heavy showers, hail and strong gusts, advising people to follow live DWD warnings and local emergency guidance.