UK tourists heading to Europe have been warned of a ‘one in 100 year’ extreme weather event by forecasters at the Met Office.
Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are forecast across much of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia towards the end of the week, with strong winds, lightning and hail also predicted.
The Met Office weather map shows ‘extreme rainfall’ expected to hit parts of central and southern Europe, with some areas likely to see double the average for September.
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Forecasters also warned that some rivers ‘may experience one in 100 year events’ with over a metre of snow also a possibility in the Alps.
Petr Hladík, Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, warned that the country could see a repeat of the disastrous floods that afflicted it in 1997 and 2002 and said ‘extraordinary rainfall’ was predicted.
And record downpours are expected in Poland too, between September 12 and 16, the southwestern city of Wrocław’s mayor wrote on X.
A map shared by the Met Office shows ‘extreme rainfall’ predicted over the weekend to hit parts of central Europe between Thursday (September 12) and Sunday (September 15). Parts of Germany, Hungary and Slovakia are also expected to be affected.
The Met Office said: “Extreme rainfall is signalled for central and southern Europe to end the week, with 200-300 mm possible (double the September average).
“Some rivers may experience one in 100 year events As cold air digs in, over a metre of snow could also fall over parts of the Alps.”