Violent tornado in Ulm-Donaustetten: Damage and surprise in BW!

Violent tornado in Ulm-Donaustetten: Damage and surprise in BW!

In recent weeks, a worrying weather phenomenon has emerged in Baden-Württemberg. The region around Ulm was particularly affected, where a violent thunderstorm front swept over Donaustetten on June 4th, sending both trees and roof tiles to the ground. The German Weather Service (DWD) has now confirmed that these devastating weather conditions were the strongest tornado of the 2025 season. According to Merkur.de, the tornado event was not only violent, but also long-lasting, with a path of 15.5 kilometers.

The tornado, which was classified as level IF2 on the international intensity scale (wind speeds of up to 220 km/h), left chaotic scenes in the tranquil city. In Donaustetten, several terraced houses were badly damaged, meaning they remain uninhabitable for the time being. Fortunately, according to the fire department, there were no injuries. Nevertheless, the damage to vehicles and gardens is considerable, and the city is now faced with the challenge of dealing with the consequences. The DWD said: “It is a serious weather event that is potentially damaging in many ways,” learns suedkurier.de.

Tornado danger and forecasts

The severe weather events were not just limited to Ulm. On June 1st, tornadoes were also suspected in Herrenberg and Oberried in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district. There were also tornado warnings in the greater Ludwigshafen/Mannheim area. The DWD reported that the meteorological conditions for tornadoes in the region were met, even if there was no core evidence. This definition of a “plausible” tornado is crucial because not every weather phenomenon can be adequately documented.

The tornado count for 2025 is currently still quite low compared to the long-term average of 49 tornadoes per year. Still, we're only halfway through the year, and forecasts show the threat of tornadoes increasing again in September. The DWD points out that the warmer summer months often bring an increase in such weather events, with dwd.de confirming the frequency between June and September.

If you look back at the past few years, the statistics show that August 2024 recorded the highest number with 11 tornadoes, and June has not exactly been short of tornadoes in recent years either. June 2024 was a remarkable month with 9 confirmed cases over land as the DWD continues to analyze the data regarding weather conditions.

The situation surrounding the tornado in Ulm not only affected the local population, but also drew attention to the importance of weather forecasts. The DWD is responsible for adequately informing citizens about potential risks and issuing warnings in a timely manner in order to avoid worse consequences.