The northern region has at least 16 this year Tornado given. This is a confirmed case, Jens Winninghoff of the German Weather Service (DWD) told the German Press Agency. There are other suspected cases that are still being discussed by tornado experts. “This may result in the figure being corrected slightly upwards.” Most of these weather phenomena were observed with seven tornadoes in Lower Saxony. Followed by Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with five cases and Schleswig-Holstein with four cases.
Fortunately, tornadoes in northern Germany caused little damage this year. According to DWD meteorologists, there was a confirmed tornado on June 7 in Glewitz near Grimmen (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania) and on June 10 in Greifswald. According to the International Fujita Scale (IF), both are only classified as “weak”.
To date, 42 cases of tornadoes have been confirmed across Germany, Winninghoff explained. He classified 2025 as an average tornado year, as an average of nearly 50 tornadoes per year were recorded in the Federal Republic. There were also one or two strong tornadoes that caused serious damage, for example “the IF2 tornado on June 4, 2025 in Donaustetten (Baden-Württemberg),” DWD experts said. According to previous DWD information, 48 tornadoes were confirmed in 2024, which also corresponds to an average season.
Tornado experts evaluate photos and videos of the storm
According to meteorologists, this weather phenomenon is caused by large temperature differences between the ground surface and higher layers of air, especially during the summer thunderstorm season.
This will create a strong upward flow of air in the small space in the cloud. Changes in wind direction and speed with height cause the air to rotate. “A tube of dust and water droplets was created,” the weather service explained. “At the edges, wind speeds can reach several hundred kilometers per hour.”
Because they often only occur briefly and over small areas, tornado detection is a real detective job. The correct and early forecast is that difficult and weak tornadoes, which cause less damage, are still not detected in many cases even today: Therefore, the increased risk of tornadoes in certain areas can be indicated a maximum of 18 hours in advance and not a few days in advance.
When investigating suspected tornado cases, DWD relies on photos and videos and also analyzes the damage. As long as there is no clear picture, a hurricane cannot be confirmed or ruled out.
How do I behave during a tornado?
The same rules don’t apply to tornadoes as they do to thunderstorms, DWD wrote. “Seeking shelter in a car could be a fatal decision here, as a tornado can easily lift a car tens of meters into the air.” To avoid being hit by swirling debris, experts recommend visiting basements and large stone houses and staying away from windows and doors.
“You should always try to avoid tornadoes outdoors, as most are no more than 100 meters wide,” DWD said. One kilometer is enough. If you are surprised by a tornado, it may be a good idea to lie flat on your back on the ground. Weaker tornadoes will probably pass you by and the risk of being hit by a flying object is lowest.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251118-930-306303/1
