Germany braces for damaging winds from Storm Burglind on Wednesday

The first major storm of the new year is set to batter Germany with damaging winds, downpours and even a few thunderstorms.

Storm Burglind will unleash widespread wind gusts over 50 mph to much of western and central Germany into Wednesday afternoon.

Areas at risk for travel disruption and damaging winds include Hamburg, Bremen, Cologne, Frankfurt and Stuttgart.

“Isolated wind gusts up to 75 mph will be possible, especially near and along the northwest coastline,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys.

Downpours will accompany the powerful winds into Wednesday morning before tapering to a few afternoon showers.

A few thunderstorms cannot be ruled out Wednesday morning.

Farther east, the threat for damaging winds will be lower from Berlin to Dresden, Nuremberg and Munich.

“While these areas could get isolated wind gusts up to 50 mph, only localized power cuts and transportation delays are expected,” said Roys.

Downpours will drench eastern Germany through the midday hours with some lingering showers throughout the afternoon. One or two spots could also hear a rumble of thunder.

<b>RELATED:</b><br><em><a href="http://www.accuweather.com/en/de/germany-weather">Germany Weather Center</a><br><a href="http://www.accuweather.com/get/weather?page=minutecast">MinuteCast® for your location</a><br><a href="http://www.accuweather.com/en/de/national/weather-radar">Interactive Germany weather radar</a></em>

Another storm will quickly follow Burgling, bringing heavy rainfall to southern Germany Thursday into Thursday night.

Locations in Bavaria and Baden-Wurtemberg will be at risk for localized flooding with rainfall amounts exceeding 25 mm (1 inch) in many locations.

The Alps and Black Forest will be at highest risk for streams overflowing their banks.

This storm will not produce damaging winds; however, local gusts over 30 mph will be possible in southern and western areas.

Despite the stormy weather, the recent surge of mild air across the country will continue to prevail through at least Saturday. This will keep any threat of snowfall limited to the highest elevations.

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