WEATHER: Central/Western Europe to Face Heavy Rainfalls This Weekend

Large parts of central Europe and NW Europe including parts of Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria are preparing for heavy rainfall this weekend according to DW. 

• Up to 400mm of rain is expected to fall on the highlands on the Polish-Czech border within 72hours, according to local meteorological stations.
• In southern Germany, 60-100mm of rain are expected in the Bavarian Alpine regions, with expectations of the first heavy snowfalls with up to 50cm of fresh snow set to fall in regions above 1,50m according to DWD.
• DWD forecasts heavier rains in east Germany but drier conditions in the north and south and average precipitation in the west.
• MetDesk forecast the possibility of “extreme flooding” until Tuesday.
• High precipitation can support hydropower generation but also risks shutdowns of power plants if water levels rise too high.
• Rhine river levels at the Kaub measuring station – in western Germany – stood at 1.81m on 13 September – above the five-year average.
• In Austria, Verbund may reduce generation at hydro plants on the Drau and Donau rivers due to heavy precipitation, remit data showed.