Europe: Adverse weather forecast across much of Belarus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, and Poland through at least July 14

Thunderstorms are forecast across much of Belarus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, and Poland through at least July 14. Heavy downpours, strong winds, lightning, and hail may accompany storms. Heavy rainfall may trigger flooding in low-lying areas and strong winds may cause property damage and power outages.

As of early July 12, the Belarus Department of Hydrometeorology has issued orange thunderstorm warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale) across western regions. Further showers and storms are forecast across the country July 13-14.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) has issued orange thunderstorm warnings across country July 12 through early July 13.

The Denmark Meteorological Institute has issued orange heavy rain and local cloudburst warnings across central and eastern regions and yellow warnings across southern regions late July 12-late July 13.

The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued red advance warnings (the second highest level on a four-tier scale) of severe thunderstorms across eastern regions July 12. Orange heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for parts of western Lower Saxony and northern and western North Rhine-Westphalia states in western Germany. Orange short-term thunderstorm warnings are in place for parts of far northern Bavaria, southwestern Berlin, western Brandenburg, northern Hesse, western North Rhine-Westphalia, and central and western Thuringia states.

The Lithuania Hydrometeorological Service has issued orange thunderstorm warnings across Alytus, Kaunus, Panevezys, Utena, and Vilnius counties and yellow thunderstorm warnings across Marijampole and Siauliai counties July 12. Orange thunderstorm warnings are in place for Alytus County and yellow thunderstorm warnings across the rest of the country July 13.

Poalnd's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has issued red thunderstorm warnings across much of Lower Silesian and Lubusz and parts of western Greater Poland provinces. Orange thunderstorm warnings are in place across Lesser Poland, Opole, Silesian, much of Lodz, and parts of southern Greater Poland, central and western Holy Cross, eastern Lower Silesian, far southwestern Masovian, and southern and western Subcarpathian provinces. Orange heavy rain with thunderstorms warnings are in place across West Pomeranian and parts of central and northern Greater Poland and northern Lubusz provinces. Yellow thunderstorm warnings have been issued for much of Lublin and parts of eastern Holy Cross, southern Masovian, and central and northern Subcarpathian provinces. Yellow heavy rain with thunderstorms warnings have been issued across Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Pomeranian and parts of eastern Greater Poland, northern Lodz, northwestern Masovian, and far western Warmian-Masurian provinces.

Officials will likely update and/or extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at regional airports. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.