Europe: Adverse weather forecast across much of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia through at least Sept. 16

Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are forecast across much of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia through at least Sept. 16. 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 Sept. 11, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) has issued red heavy rainfall warnings across Moravian-Silesian, Olomouc, South Moravian, and Zlin, much of Pardubice, and parts of eastern and northern Hradec Kralove, eastern and northeastern Livberec, central, eastern, and southern South Bohemian, and eastern and southern Vysocina regions late Sept. 11-15. Orange heavy rainfall warnings are in place for Prague, the rest of Hradec Kralove, South Bohemian, and Vysocina, and parts of central, eastern, and southern Central Bohemian and central Liberec regions. Yellow heavy rainfall warnings are in place for the rest of Central Bohemian and Liberec regions and parts of eastern and southern Plzen regions. Red, orange, and yellow flood warnings have been issued over similar areas to the respective rainfall warnings.

Poalnd's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has issued red heavy rainfall warnings across Opole and much of Lower Silesian provinces early Sept. 12-16. Orange heavy rainfall warnings are in place for parts of central, eastern, and southern Greater Poland and northern and western Lodz provinces and yellow heavy rainfall warnings for parts of central, eastern, and southern Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province.

The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute has issued orange heavy rainfall warnings across Bratislava, much of Trencin, and parts of northern Nitra, northern Tranava, and northwestern and western Zilina regions Sept. 12-13. Yellow heavy rainfall warnings are in place across the rest of western and west-central Slovakia Sept. 12, extending across the rest of central Slovakia Sept. 13.

Officials could 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.