It was only the third time since 1956 that so much snow had fallen upon the 1,141-tall mountain in October, according to Brocken weather station officials.

A cold front from the north caused the white precipitation as temperatures dropped to -3 degrees Celsius atop the gentle slope in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. But strong winds made the temperature feel like -15.

The German Weather Service (DWD) warned on Saturday that even low-lying parts of the country could experience overnight frost in the west and northwest.

Elsewhere, temperatures will sink to between four and ten degrees. In the south near the Alps, snowfall above 800 metres is likely.

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Sunday will see temperatures top out between ten and 15 degrees, as clouds and rain spread across the centre of the country from the west. Gusty winds will buffet higher elevations and coastal areas.

“Temperatures aren’t expected to rise unfortunately until Monday,” said DWD meteorologist Martin Jonas in a statement. “But from Monday to Wednesday it will again become rainier and fair only for short periods.”

Highs on Monday are expected to reach up to 19 degrees in the west. The rest of the country will remain slightly cooler at 13 to 17 degrees.

DAPD/The Local/mry