Weather bulletin3 heatwaves, temperature records, rain deficit, and a tornado

RTL Today

For the end of the meteorological summer, the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services (ASTA) publishes a weather analysis covering the period from 1 June to 31 August.

Update: 01.09.2019 11:23

A huge tornado ripped across southwest Luxembourg on 9 August.

Luxembourg experienced above-average temperatures this summer, with a plus of 1,6°C along the Moselle and the south of the country, and 1,3°C in the Oesling region.

We experienced three heatwaves around the end of July and end of August. Temperatures reached a record high of 40,8°C in Steinsel at one point.

Records tumble in Europe as heatwave bitesPétange and its surroundings were hit by a tornado on 9. August, leaving a considerable amount of damage.

Shocking video shows Bascharage roof torn off as tornado passes

Central Luxembourg was hit the hardest by the rain deficit, specifically in Arsdorf with a deficit of 102mm rainfall.

The weather data was recorded by 32 weather stations distributed throughout all regions of the Grand Duchy.

The statistics taken predominantly from the 4 stations of Asselborn, Clemency, Remich, and Grevenmacher were compared to the average data collected during the period of 1981-2010. For the entire summer, average temperatures lay above the average data collected during the reference period.

All 32 weather stations recorded temperature above 35°C on 25. July, with four of the stations recording temperatures of 40°C. The 40.8°C in Steinsel is a record-breaking number since data was first collected in 1838.

Due to the high temperatures, Luxembourg was hit by several thunder storms. Heavy rainfall with large hail stones occurred in the north-west on 18. June, and the southwest was hit by an F2 category tornado on 9. August.

The country’s precipitation lay below the average this summer, which led to an extremely dry ground.