Storm alarm in NRW: Thunderstorms, heavy rain and hail are threatening!

Storm alarm in NRW: Thunderstorms, heavy rain and hail are threatening!

On June 14, 2025, the weather will cause excitement in North Rhine-Westphalia. The day started with hot temperatures reaching 34 degrees as people prepare for the weekend. But the joy of sunshine doesn't last long. Strong thunderstorms will develop in the afternoon, which may bring heavy rain, hail and squalls. The WAZ reports an official severe weather warning that is valid until 4:30 p.m. for severe thunderstorms in Cologne and the surrounding area. Level 2 warnings are also issued in Essen and Duisburg, and the first thunderstorm cells are already reaching the region.

Today's weather situation is characterized by a high over the Baltic Sea and a low over the British Isles. This constellation leads to a hot, humid air flow that increases the likelihood of thunderstorms forming. The DWD updated the warnings at midday and explained that heavy rain amounts of up to 40 l/sqm and gusts of 100 km/h are possible until the evening.

Specific warnings and regional impacts

The thunderstorm cells are primarily affected in the south and west of North Rhine-Westphalia first, while the east remains mostly dry until the evening. In several districts, including Siegen-Wittgenstein, Paderborn and Düsseldorf, warnings had already been given in advance about the impending storms. The DWD reports that hail with a grain size of up to two centimeters and locally very heavy rain of up to 50 l/sqm cannot be ruled out.

Larger thunderstorm complexes are forecast for Sunday night and the meteorological conditions will not get much better. Temperatures will drop to 19 degrees overnight while thunderstorms remain possible.

Climate change and extreme weather

A look at the last few years shows that such extreme weather events are no coincidence. A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as noted by WWF, describes that the increase in extreme weather events, such as the thunderstorms impending in North Rhine-Westphalia, are a direct result of climate change. As the world warms, not only are average temperatures increasing, but also the probability of heavy rainfall. In Western Europe, these events have now become up to nine times more likely.

Human activities, including transport and industry, as well as sealing of soils, have exacerbated the situation. The WWF emphasizes how important it is to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius and to take urgent measures to protect the climate. This includes not only the expansion of renewable energies, but also the protection of natural rivers and floodplains in order to better cope with flood events.

Overall, the weather forecast for the entire weekend is characterized by uncertainty. While Sunday will see temperatures drop to 21 to 24 degrees and thunderstorms continue, there is still hope that the situation will soon stabilize again. The reports from the DWD and the warnings from the affected regions should definitely be taken seriously.