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WEATHER

Weathermen predict rain and snow after weekend winter wonderland

In pictures: After Germany enjoyed a white, wintery weekend, the weathermen are forecasting rainier weather but also more snow on its way for this week.

Published: 9 January 2017 18:13 CET
Weathermen predict rain and snow after weekend winter wonderland
A woman walks her dog Holly in Fulda, Hesse. Photo: DPA.

The country celebrated a weekend of winter fun as much of Germany experienced snowfall and temperatures well below freezing on Saturday and Sunday.

One station in Marienberg, Saxony recorded the mercury dropping to -31.4C on Saturday morning, while another recorded the temperature to be -30.6C, though the German Weather Service (DWD) registered the temperature in the town as -17C.

The coldest temperatures according to DWD were in Winkl and Schorndor, Bavaria at -26C.

Meteorologist Christoph Hartmann said at the weekend that the German Alps could have received up to 100cm of fresh snow, which was good news for winter sports lovers.

However while many people were out enjoying the snow, the icy temperatures also created treacherous travel conditions, leading to hundreds of accidents due to slippery roadways. In the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, police reported around 1,500 traffic accidents, while in Lower Saxony, 630 accidents were reported and one person was killed near Hanover on Saturday evening.

But predictions for the week ahead include showers and drizzling rain later in the week, as well as snow and winter storms.

By mid-week, strong storms are expected in coastal areas, while temperatures should be above freezing throughout much of the country.

Forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from DWD:

With lots of fresh, new snow, many people at the weekend relished the opportunity to take to the slopes and play outside.
 

Many got out their toboggans and snow boots to enjoy the weekend snow, taking to social media to share photos of their white weekends.

Below, children in Munich go sledding in a park on Sunday.

Photo: DPA.

Others, as pictured below, even took to horseback as these residents of Baden-Württemberg.

Photo: DPA.

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WEATHER

Germany hit by storms and high winds

After a night of thunderstorms and high winds that knocked down trees and delayed trains, wind warnings are still in place in much of Germany on Tuesday. The coming days are expected to bring cool temperatures and scattered showers.

Published: 16 April 2024 10:20 CEST
Germany hit by storms and high winds

The German Weather Service (DWD) is maintaining wind warnings across much of Germany on Tuesday following severe wind and rain storms that started Monday night.

Wind speeds are most intense in the south. Around Munich, the DWD predicts wind speeds around 65 kilometres per hour and gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour can be expected in exposed locations, along with showers.

In the middle of the country the weather is similar with slightly less intense winds predicted. In Düsseldorf, winds up to around 55 kilometres per hour are predicted.

In the northern regions, no serious weather warnings are in effect.

Showers are also expected across much of the southern, western and northern regions in Germany on Tuesday. In the middle and eastern regions, such as around Erfurt or Dresden, skies are partly cloudy.

In the Upper Harz region, snow fell on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Unusually cold weather is expected to continue there through the weekend.

Looking forward, scattered showers will continue on Wednesday, but the sun can be expected to peek through across much of the country. Northern and eastern cities like Berlin and Hamburg can expect a bit more sun tomorrow, whereas cities in the south can expect a bit more rain.

A mix of sun and scattered showers can be expected to extend through Friday and Saturday, with high temperatures around 12C each day and low temperatures between 2C and 5C at night.

House with wrecked roof

The flat roof of an apartment building in Hesse was damaged by severe winds on Monday night. PHOTO: picture alliance/dpa/5VISION.NEWS | 5VISION.NEWS

Severe storms left trail of destruction

Thunderstorms, strong winds and widespread storms on Monday evening left carnage across Germany. 

Some train passengers experienced delays of four hours on while a number of routes were closed.

On Tuesday morning there are only major delays between Nuremberg and Erfurt, a railway spokesman said.

Tees and branches knocked down by severe gusts of wind caused a series of injuries and traffic disruption.

In Hesse, a motorist and her passenger were injured in a collision with a tree that had fallen due to the storm.The accident occurred on Monday evening in the city of Alsfeld. Both occupants of the car were slightly injured, the 20-year-old was taken to a hospital.

In Bottrop (North Rhine-Westphalia), a 19-year-old pedestrian was injured on her way home from work after a tree suddenly fell onto the sidewalk. The young woman’s legs were trapped under the tree trunk, according to the fire department. In Hattingen in the Ruhr area, a man was injured by a tree falling into a garden.

In Cologne, a city bus was damaged by a fallen tree. The driver was slightly injured and taken to hospital, the fire department said in the evening. Several fallen trees and bent branches hindered traffic in the city.

In Bavaria, three people in a car suffered serious injuries in an accident on the A9.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Koblenz police headquarters reported 10 cars in its region that had been damaged by falling trees or other objects. Electricity and telephone lines were also damaged by falling trees. In Ludwigshafen in the Palatinate, trees fell on roads and power lines. Loose roof tiles and fallen construction fences also triggered fire brigade operations.

With reporting by DPA

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