Many rivers in southern Germany are flooded after extreme, continuous rain. One reason for the rainfall is a special weather situation around the Alps, says ARD weather expert Laps.
The extreme rainfall in southern Germany has caused water levels to rise above historic highs in many places. In some places, up to 160 litres of rain per square metre fell within one day, says Stefan Laps from the ARD Weather Competence Center“This is comparable to one and a half times the amount that normally comes down in a whole month,” the expert says in an interview with dailynews24 a.
The rainfall is also causing river levels to rise “rapidly” in parts of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, according to LapsThe southwest of Bavaria and the southeast of Baden-Württemberg are particularly affected.
Weather service issues highest warning level
“On some rivers we have already reached a 50-year flood, which statistically occurs about every 50 years. This will continue to increase,” says the ARD–Weather expertHe expects record water levels, especially on smaller rivers.
Further persistent rain is forecast for Saturday. The German Weather Service has issued severe weather warnings of the highest level for some regions. Several districts have declared a state of emergency.
Climate change favours special weather conditions
The heavy rain is the result of a special weather situation, explains the weather expert. The trigger is a low that has formed south of the Alps and is now moving over the Alps towards Poland. “On this route, the low transports very moist and warm air from the Mediterranean region and transports it northwards to Germany. Winds from the northwest are literally squeezing this moist and warm air out over the south and centre of Germany,” says Laps.
The weather situation is being favoured by global warming as a result of climate change: “In the Mediterranean region, the water is one to three degrees warmer than normal. Every degree of warmer air means more water vapour.” This could result in more intense rainfall than it already is, says Laps.