Severe Thunderstorms Cause Widespread Damage and Disruptions in Baden-Württemberg

Severe thunderstorms struck Baden-Württemberg on August 28, 2026, bringing heavy rain, hail, damaging winds, and widespread disruption across the region. The German Weather Service (DWD) issued storm warnings early in the day for heavy rain, wind gusts, and hail, which were particularly intense in the northwestern parts of the state, including areas around Singen, Radolfzell, and Bohlingen.

The storm system caused significant damage to infrastructure. In Bohlingen, around 100 houses had roofs torn off, and many trees were uprooted, leading to extensive blockage of roads. The district of Bohlingen in Singen was even closed off due to the damage. Similarly, in the Bodenseekreis region, a fallen tree struck a high-voltage line, and in the Hegau area, several downed trees and flooded basements were reported. Hailstones were reported in Überlingen and Sipplingen, and the storms caused flooded streets in numerous localities.

Ludwigsburg faced a high volume of emergency calls, with around 100 incidents reported due to flooding and fallen trees. In Backnang and Oppenweiler, trees fell on buildings, although no injuries were reported. Notably, a barn in Großrinderfeld caught fire after being struck by lightning. Train services were also affected; a regional train was forced to halt and evacuate passengers when large branches blocked the tracks.

Meteorological data highlighted the severity of the storms: wind gusts reached up to 126 km/h at Feldberg. The storm included a dangerous 'supercell' component, with authorities warning of potential tornadoes and hailstones larger than 5 cm in diameter. Flights from Zurich Airport were canceled due to the extreme weather conditions. Although the official severe weather warning was lifted by midday, the DWD cautioned that more storms were likely later in the day, especially near Freiburg and Tübingen, with temperatures expected to drop significantly.

Residents were advised via the NINA warning app to avoid outdoor activities, stay away from trees and power lines, and take all necessary precautions. The weekend following the storms is forecast to be calmer, with partly sunny to cloudy skies and sporadic showers.

These weather events underscore the volatile summer season in the region and the importance of weather preparedness amid increasingly intense storms.