Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Central Bohemia tonight

Warnings for severe thunderstorms and flash floods have been issued for Central Bohemia and surrounding Czech regions from 7 p.m. tonight by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI).

Storms are forecast for most areas of Bohemia this evening, with torrential rain and strong winds in some regions. The storm warning, with a high alert level, has been issued for Prague, Central Bohemia, South Bohemia, Hradec Králové, and Liberec.

Parts of the Ústí nad Labem, Plzeň, Vysočina, and Pardubice regions are also covered under the warning.

Storms will move from the north to south, with the severe thunderstorm warning in effect from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. in affected regions. An additional warning for floods is in effect from 8 p.m. until noon on Sunday.

"In the belt from Šumava through Central Bohemia to the Liberec region, there will be torrential rain with short-term totals of around 50 millimeters and wind gusts around 90 kilometers per hour," said CHMI meteorologists.

"In the eastern half of Bohemia, the biggest risk will be winds, with gusts of around 90 kilometers per hour."

Due to the heavy rain, water levels on local rivers may rapidly rise. The CHMI identified the Smědá river in Liberec and Jizera river in Central Bohemia among those that may be especially affected.

An interactive map of updated warning levels from the CHMI can be found at the institute's official website.