Ablauf der Ostseesturmflut im Oktober 2023

From 19 to 21 October 2023, an extreme storm surge hit the entire 2,582 km of the German Baltic Sea coast with unusually high water levels, with the event being described as a very severe storm surge for Schleswig-Holstein and a severe storm surge for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Particularly in the northern coastal area of Schleswig-Holstein, including the Schlei, the peak water levels reached heights that were in many cases the second highest since the beginning of regular tide gauge recordings almost 200 years ago. In addition to the pre-filling of the Baltic Sea by several decimetres, the storm surge was caused in particular by a Vb cyclone with gale to hurricane-force winds from easterly directions. This particular meteorological situation led to a very long duration of high water levels along the Baltic Sea. The water levels reported during the storm surge along the German Baltic Sea coast were recorded by the network of water gauges operated and maintained by the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Office.