NRW in Storm Mode: DWD Warns of Storms, Hail, and Possible Tornadoes

On Corpus Christi, North Rhine-Westphalia is under a widespread warning situation. The German Weather Service (DWD) expects strong thunderstorms, partly stormy gusts, and locally also dangerous accompanying phenomena during the course of the day. Particularly in focus: rapidly changing conditions that can shift from showery to severe weather in a short time.

NRW must prepare for unstable weather on Thursday. Showers will initially move in from the west, later widespread strong thunderstorms will spread across the state. According to the DWD, there is also an official warning for Cologne from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for wind gusts up to 60 km/h from the southwest (04.06.2026).

Statewide Warning Situation in NRW with Thunderstorms, Hail, and Possible Tornadoes

The warning situation is not just local: On the DWD warning map, North Rhine-Westphalia is marked yellow across the board – the notices thus apply statewide to all districts and independent cities. Yellow stands for an official warning level, which does not automatically mean "extreme weather," but is a clear indication that dangerous weather phenomena are possible in many regions and can intensify at short notice.

From late morning, isolated showers are expected at first. As the day progresses, showers and partly strong thunderstorms will increasingly spread across NRW from the west. The DWD warns of stormy gusts and storm gusts from the southwest at 70 to 85 km/h; in isolated cases, severe storm gusts around 95 km/h are possible. In some cases, hurricane-like gusts around 110 km/h may occur. According to meteorologists, short-lived tornadoes cannot be ruled out – this remains rare, but is explicitly considered in situations with strong wind shear and thunderstorm potential. Accompanying this, there may be small-grained hail and heavy rain, locally with up to 20 liters per square meter in one hour.

In practice, this means: Even individual cells can quickly lead to falling branches, falling objects, or dangerous situations in road traffic – not necessarily everywhere, but where a thunderstorm line or individual strong cells pass through. The DWD recommends securing loose objects such as tents, covers, or garden furniture.

The maximum temperatures on Corpus Christi are between 17 and 20 degrees, around 14 degrees in the Hochsauerland. Thunderstorms and wind are expected to subside in the evening. During the night to Friday, showers will quickly die down; temperatures will drop to 12 to 7 degrees.

After the Holiday, the Weather Remains Changeable, with Significant Temperature Swings in Cologne

No stable weather phase will establish itself after Corpus Christi. Friday will remain changeable, with renewed showers and occasional brief thunderstorms; activity is expected to decrease towards the evening. Maximum values will again reach 17 to 20 degrees, around 13 degrees in the higher mountains. Near showers and thunderstorms, the wind can still pick up strongly. During the night to Saturday, temperatures will drop to 7 to 11 degrees.

On Saturday, 18 to 22 degrees are expected, around 16 degrees in higher elevations. It will remain variably cloudy, with occasional showery rain from the southwest. Isolated thunderstorms with strong gusts in the afternoon are considered rather unlikely. Sunday will start still heavily cloudy with local showers, later clearing up from the southwest. Then, 19 to 22 degrees are expected.

For Cologne, the forecast for the coming week indicates significant temperature swings: After around 24 degrees on Monday, it is expected to cool down to about 18 degrees on Tuesday, with 23 degrees expected again by midweek. On Thursday, up to 27 degrees are possible, and about 26 degrees the following Friday. The lowest values will be between 12 and 16 degrees (forecast as of 04.06.2026, 10 a.m.).

For Corpus Christi, the situation in NRW is particularly relevant due to the widespread warning situation. After that, the weather will calm down at times – but it will not remain stable at first.