5. The Warning Management of the Deutscher Wetterdienst

The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) operates a three-tiered warning management system (time dimension) that differentiates between five risk levels. The warning system is co-ordinated with disaster management authorities which, in Germany, is the responsibility of the Länder (States) so that its organisation is consequently very diverse. Warnings are provided to users through various channels. The general public is informed over the Internet. There are closed online user groups for fire brigades and the winter maintenance service. The DWD is committed to the single-voice principle, according to which only warnings issued by Germany’s National Meteorological Service should be binding for disaster mitigation purposes. The warning system is continuously updated and optimised. Using Bavaria as an example, this document illustrates the structural and organisational provisions underlying the “Special Severe Weather Emergency Plan”.