There has been concern about the weather situation since yesterday. Meteolux had already decided to place the entire country on yellow alert for storm warnings until Sunday, 1 p.m. However, the latest forecasts seem to indicate that the bad weather could be worse than initially expected.
The flood forecasting service has therefore entered into hydrological monitoring. In other words, the weather situation indicates a possible risk of flooding. “According to the weather forecast, heavy rainfall is expected from the evening onwards. As a result, a rapid rise in water levels should be expected, particularly on small rivers. As things stand, it is unlikely that the Early Warning Level will be reached, but this cannot be completely ruled out,” explains the service.
The location and amount of expected precipitation are still very uncertain and the evolution of watercourses therefore strongly depends on the amounts of precipitation that will actually occur locally.
The government is monitoring the situation
Increased caution is therefore required, particularly along small watercourses and during seasonal activities (campsites, construction sites, etc.) along all watercourses. Local flooding could occur due to surface runoff.
The Luxembourg government also responded to the current situation in a press release. “Early this afternoon, the weather risk assessment unit (CERI) met to assess the weather situation,” it explained.
At present, there is a high probability of thunderstorms in the evening, which will be accompanied by heavy rain and winds (up to 90-100km/h), which may cause flash flooding at a local level. “At this stage, there is still relative uncertainty as to the scale of the storms and the impact on the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg,” specifies the government in a press release, adding that the CERI continues to observe the evolution of the situation and will inform the population in due time.
Moselle on the alert
The French department of Moselle is also on alert. The department has been placed on orange alert for a risk of thunderstorms during the night from Saturday June 29 at 4 p.m. to Sunday June 30, 2024 at 4 a.m. “Phenomena described as “remarkable”, occurring only every 2/3 years, by Météo France could be violent, particularly from 7 p.m. to midnight,” specifies the prefecture in a press release.
Locally, winds could reach 120 km/h, the cumulative rainfall could exceed 8 cm in 2 or 3 hours and 5 cm in less than an hour, the equivalent of a month of precipitation. Finally, large diameter hail phenomena, which could reach the size of a ping pong ball, could be observed.
This event could locally cause serious risks for people and property. Consequently, the prefect of Moselle asks that events taking place outside from 6 p.m., such as demonstrations, gatherings, etc. are canceled.
The prefecture therefore advises the population to limit their movements and to take shelter. “Do not take shelter under an umbrella, under trees or against a wall. Do not touch any electrical wires that may have fallen to the ground under any circumstances.”
Also in Meurthe-et-Moselle
The same observation was made in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, which was also placed on orange alert for “thunderstorms” this Saturday. “Around 8 p.m., a more generalized storm deterioration should reach the Grand Est region before continuing its progression towards the north,” the prefecture indicates.
These storms are particularly virulent. They are accompanied by violent gusts of wind (80 to 100 km/h, up to 120 km/h possible locally), large hail and heavy accumulations of rain. “This marked stormy zone should gradually evacuate through the north-east of Lorraine and Alsace after midnight. Behind it, locally stormy rain should remain current until Sunday morning,” she specifies.
