Baltic Sea water levels today: Warnings of storm surges in MV!

Baltic Sea water levels today: Warnings of storm surges in MV!

Today, December 1, 2025, the water levels of the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are an important topic. Floods and storm surges are not only historical events, they also impact the daily lives of people in the region. The current measuring stations in Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald provide valuable data about the water level and the hydrological situation. According to the Baltic Sea newspaper This information is essential for assessing the potential risks.

What is mean low water (MNW) and mean high water (MHW), many people ask? MNW describes the average low value recorded over a period of time, while MHW indicates the average high value. For Warnemünde, the MNW is 407 cm and the MHW is 617 cm, measured in the period between November 1st, 2010 and October 31st, 2020. Historically, the highest flood level (HHW) in Warnemünde was recorded at 770 cm on November 13th, 1872, while the lowest water level (NNW) was recorded on October 18th, 1967 332 cm was documented.

Storm surges and their classes

The storm surge classes categorize the intensity of such flood events. A storm surge means a water level of 1.00 to 1.25 m above the mean water level, while a very severe storm surge is above 2.00 m. The last severe storm surges in October caused extensive damage of up to 56 million euros. The city of Sassnitz reported a financial requirement of 42 million euros to restore the infrastructure, and an additional 6 million euros are planned for sand losses on beaches and dunes.

Flood warnings are provided through a variety of channels, such as radio, television, loudspeakers, sirens, websites and even social media. This was also done by the Federal Institute for Hydraulic Engineering highlighted. Monthly reports on the hydrological situation provide information about water levels and water temperatures, which are regularly compared. They provide a valuable basis for analyzing storm surges or other extreme weather events.

The effects of climate change

In today's world, it is also important to mention that the increase in hotter summers in Germany is leading to more intense, but less frequent, precipitation events. These changes bring with them a greater risk of flooding. The Flood Atlas connects different data sets and visualizes them on a digital map to give authorities and the public an overview of the risks.

Almost everyone in the region has felt the consequences of flooding at some point, be it through property damage or impairment of infrastructure. The city parameters and the responsibility for the warning messages remain in the hands of the responsible authorities, whose measures and preparations are crucial for the safety of the population. The flood atlas offers a useful supplement, but does not replace local warning reports.

Overall, it is clear that in view of the current climatic changes, a watchful eye must be kept on the water levels of the Baltic Sea. The reports and data are not only available to experts: everyone can find out about the current water levels and be better prepared for what nature has in store for us.