High Baltic Sea water levels unusual for an October

Does the recent weather bode badly for a savage storm season?

A quick walk around the Copenhagen Lakes reveals that the water levels are low, with unfamiliar areas of muddy land now protruding from the edges where copious numbers of birds are congregating.

But maybe somebody should try telling the Baltic Sea that while Denmark has a water shortage, it’s of the freshwater variety, and that we don’t need any donations – particularly not in October!

It’s far too early in the autumn for this kind of behaviour.

Mostly south of Copenhagen
This past week has seen the highest October water levels in the Baltic Sea since 1991, with Germany going several cm better with their biggest surge since 1956. 

High water levels like the table-topping 126 cm above normal seen in Gedser, an all-time October record for the Falster town, are not normally seen until the winter months, commented experts.

A prolonged gale on Wednesday was responsible, with the southerly islands of Lolland, Falster, Møn and Langeland the most affected.

Echoes of WWII
Most of Denmark is well protected from flooding thanks to the dikes installed after the Great Storm on 1872. 

The only flooding in Denmark on Wednesday occurred on Bornholm, where waves crashed onto the promenades of Allinge and Gudhjem. 

In the former, the waves threw relatively large stones into a carpark. The last time it sustained a bombardment like this was in 1945. 



  • Iranian Artist Takes Rebels to Aarhus

    Iranian Artist Takes Rebels to Aarhus

    The defiant collective soul of the Iranian women has transcended eras and borders to haunt Aarhus, Denmark where the city’s art museum, ARoS, is presently hosting an exhibition by Iranian artist Soheila Sokhanvari titled “Rebel Rebel.”

  • Traffic jam will increase in the capital area – more time will be wasted

    Traffic jam will increase in the capital area – more time will be wasted

    A new analysis shows that there will be more pressure on the roads in the capital area towards 2035. With six percent more inhabitants, there will be greater strain on trains and on cycle paths in several places in the region

  • “A Brit walks into a bar…”

    “A Brit walks into a bar…”

    Last night, as I was getting ready to perform in a comedy show at Teater Play in Amager alongside the brilliant Conrad Molden, my four-year-old daughter looked up at me and asked, ‘Daddy, why are you ALWAYS going to do comedy?’

  • Fathers take longer paternity leave with new rules

    Fathers take longer paternity leave with new rules

    Fathers and co-mothers tend to take more days off, according to new figures. Equal leave with newborns ensures more gender equality on the labour market.

  • Palads’ future will (maybe) be decided tonight

    Palads’ future will (maybe) be decided tonight

    Politicians in Copenhagen will today decide whether Nordisk Film can continue with plans to demolish Palad and build a new building.

  • How to survive Copenhagen as an exchange student

    How to survive Copenhagen as an exchange student

    Studying in a different country is a luxurious opportunity, and Copenhagen is a popular destination. Upon arrival, the realization kicks in that adapting to this new environment may be easier said than done.