Severe weather has once again gripped parts of Europe this week: on Wednesday, heavy thunderstorms swept across Spain.

In the areas around Barcelona and Valencia, 50 to 100 mm of rain fell within a short space of time. Rivers and streams swelled considerably.

There were also heavy thunderstorms in southern Germany, as well as in the Czech Republic and Austria, in the middle of the week.

Today, the thunderstorm front is moving on towards Italy and the Balkans. Heavy downpours accompanied by thunder and lightning were already sweeping across the area from Genoa to Trieste this morning.

As the day progresses, conditions will also become precarious in central Italy, along the northern Adriatic coast and in Croatia.

The areas should expect severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail and gusts of wind. Locally, more than 100 mm of rain may fall – which means flooding is also possible.