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WEATHER

Winter weather to return just in time for first day of spring

Just when spring seemed to be peering over the horizon, Old Man Winter is apparently scheduled for another visit this week, the German Weather Service (DWD) reported on Monday.

Published: 16 March 2009 16:33 CET
Winter weather to return just in time for first day of spring
NOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo.......! Photo: DPA

Friday is the first official day of spring, but Arctic winds are due to bring night frost, chilly winds and even snow to some parts of the country as early as Tuesday, DWD meteorologist Jens Hoffmann said.

Thick cloud cover should begin making its way from north to south on Tuesday, bringing rain to eastern and southeastern parts of the country, with altitudes above 700 to 1100 metres seeing possible snow. The western half of the country can expect a few rain drops, with temperatures rising to seven degrees Celsius on the islands in the north and 14 degrees in Oberrheingraben in southwestern Germany.

By Tuesday night, temperatures will have decreased to four degrees Celsius in coastal areas and minus three degrees in some hilly regions.

Wednesday should be mostly precipitation-free with partly cloudy skies throughout most of the country, the DWD reported.

Conditions are expected remain disappointing on Thursday, with temperatures oscillating between two and eight degrees, except in the west and southwest where temperatures could climb as high as 10 degrees Celsius.

WEATHER

Winter weather returns to Germany after spring heat spell

Temperatures in Germany almost hit 30C in the last few weeks. But winter-like weather is well and truly back - and ski slopes are even re-opening in some areas.

Published: 19 April 2024 12:42 CEST
Winter weather returns to Germany after spring heat spell

Many people in Germany will have already packed away their winter clothes as spring has seen high temperatures and lots of sun.

But a cosy hoody and jacket will be needed again.

According to the German Weather Service (DWD), a blast of polar air has been moving in bringing ice, rain and sleet that is turning to snow, particularly at higher altitudes. 

Those who want to take advantage of the winter weather can even get back on the slopes. Many ski resorts had to close early for the season – but a few are reopening. 

On Friday, the ski lift at Kandel in the Emmendingen district (Baden-Württemberg) opens for floodlit skiing from 6pm. to 10pm. If the snow remains, the lifts will also operate at the weekend from 9am to 5pm.

Meanwhile, the lift at Seebuck (Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district) is operating on Saturday from 1pm to 5pm.

‘Aprilschmuddelwetter’

Lower-lying spots have also seen hailstones and snow showers. People in Munich dealt with a flurry of snow on Thursday as temperatures fell. High temperatures ranged from 4C in Oberallgäu to 12C in Lower Franconia.

In a post on X, the DWD described it as Aprilschmuddelwetter – Schmuddelwetter translates to “mucky” or “foul weather” and is often used in Germany in spring when there’s lots of rain.

The DWD said: “April foul weather on Friday: Widespread rain, snow in high mountain areas. In the afternoon, partly heavy sleet showers from the north-west, isolated thunderstorms. In addition, stormy winds in places. Temperatures will barely reach double figures.”

The DWD shared a photo with tulips poking out from the snow in Neuhaus am Rennweg in Thuringia and said it was symbolic of the current weather situation.

The low pressure system moving in from the North Sea was bringing more widespread rain, thunderstorms and hail on Friday. 

In Berlin temperatures hovered around 7C on Friday during the day with continuous rain. It was around 5C in Erfurt and 8C in Kiel. 

In western Germany, it was slightly less cool with temperatures reaching 10C – but torrential rain was forecast. 

Changeable weather with showers was forecast on Saturday, while some sunshine in the north and east of Germany was expected on Sunday. 

At night, there is a risk of frost, ice and freezing rain in the coming days in spots where the temperature drops.

This comes after a series of storms and strong winds lashed the country earlier this week.

READ ALSO: Storms and high winds hit Germany

Just a few days before that, Germany was bathed in sunshine as temperatures climbed up to nearly 30C.

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