Storm in Lippe: Only a few fire brigade operations after a thunderstorm!

Storm in Lippe: Only a few fire brigade operations after a thunderstorm!

Last weekend's thunderstorm had almost no major impact in the Lippe region. Nevertheless, the fire brigade in Bad Salzuflen identified two operations that were limited to fixing minor problems. The Beetstrasse was temporarily flooded, which is why the water had to be pumped out of a depression. The fire department also opened storm drains on Walhallastraße and Rudolph-Brandes-Allee to eliminate flooding. Meanwhile, a traffic light at the intersection of Lockhauser Straße and Walhallastraße was out due to the weather. The repairs were scheduled for the morning, so traffic control should be back in order soon. Only in the Minden-Lübbecke district did the fire brigade have to be much more active, with around 70 missions. This shows that the intensity of thunderstorms in the region can fluctuate, as Radio Lippe reports.

What exactly is a thunderstorm? These meteorological phenomena are characterized by air-electric discharges and can occur impressively with lightning and thunder. Thunderstorms are often associated with heavy rainfall and sometimes hailstorms, while sometimes they bring stormy winds. The background to this is rising warm, moist air masses that come together in special thunderclouds, the so-called cumulonimbus. These clouds require certain conditions such as a vertical decrease in temperature and sufficient moisture near the ground to form. Interestingly, there are around 1,600 thunderstorms worldwide, which affect just 0.3% of the earth's surface, as Wikipedia describes.

How thunderstorms form

In Lippe, residents observed a typical summer thunderstorm. Summer thunderstorms are usually more common than their winter counterparts, which can even bring snow showers. Thunderstorms can occur in different phases and can be influenced by various climatic factors such as wind and air pressure conditions as well as topography. For us in Central Europe it is common for thunderstorm lengths to vary, while in the Alps they form quickly. The special shapes of thunderstorm cells, such as the so-called supercells with their characteristic rotation, are particularly exciting.

The storm may be exciting on the one hand, but it also brings dangers. Lightning can trigger asthma attacks and increase the risks for people outdoors. It is particularly important to seek shelter in a building or vehicle during a thunderstorm and to keep your distance from tall objects. Electrical devices should also not be used to minimize the risk of electric shock. Anyone sitting in a car with a closed metal body is relatively well protected, while proximity to open spaces can be dangerous.

For the Cologne region, it is important to always keep an eye on such weather phenomena and to follow the usual rules of conduct should a thunderstorm occur. Check the weather regularly and stay at home or in a safe vehicle in the event of an emergency. This is the only way you can enjoy the weather in the future without any worries!