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WEATHER

Storm Thomas subsides, but snow and ice pose road danger

The beginning of Carnival was hit by extreme weather, but conditions should slowly improve.

Storm Thomas subsides, but snow and ice pose road danger
Photo: DPA

Storm Thomas brought high winds and heavy rain to much of Germany on the first night of Carnival on Thursday.

The jesters in the Rhineland had their party spoiled by the bad weather on Weiberfastnacht, the first day of Carnival. Bonn’s opening party was cancelled while in Düsseldorf celebrations were curtailed.

Strong winds of up to 110 km/h blew down trees, wrecked cars and cancelled trains as debris lay scattered on the tracks. One motorist was seriously injured when a tree fell on his car and emergencies services were called out respond to hundreds of calls.

By Friday morning the weather had calmed significantly, but temperatures had also taken a dive.

Snow is expected to fall in regions situated higher than 300m above sea level on Friday evening. Icy roads are also expected, with the thermometer in several areas dipping below freezing overnight.

The German weather service reports that the weekend will be cloudy and rainy in the north. Meanwhile, the south will see more sun and higher temperatures, reaching double digits.

Monday will repeat the same pattern, though temperatures should rise.

A persistent south-westerly wind means that it will still feel chilly, however. Spring isn’t here yet.

WEATHER

Spring to arrive in Germany with temperatures of up to 21C

The moment many people around Germany have been waiting for is almost here: as of Thursday, temperatures are expected to crack the 20C mark and stay warm through the start of spring.

Spring to arrive in Germany with temperatures of up to 21C

Whether it’s the pink cherry blossom trees which have started to bloom, lighter evenings or people walking around with ice cream cones, the signs of springs have already started to show around Germany in March.

Now the weather is also catching up: following rain storms on Wednesday, the mercury is expected to reach at least 20C in many parts of the Bundesrepublik on Thursday. 

READ ALSO: Seven signs that Spring has arrived in Germany

First there’s some damper news: On Wednesday, Germany – in particular the southwest – is expected to be hit by the storms. In the Black Forest, 30 to 40 litres per square metre will fall by midday, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

In the Alps, light snowfall will set in above 1,000 to 1,200 metres, with fresh snowfall of around five centimetres expected. 

The rain will ease by the following morning, but it will remain cloudy.

Up to 21C on Thursday

On Thursday, after the morning the fog disappears, people can look forward to a sunny and dry day – especially in the south and western parts of Germany. 

Temperatures will rise to a pleasant 14 to 21C degrees, with the highest values on the Upper Rhine. 

In mountainous areas and by the sea, it will remain somewhat cooler at 10C to 14C. 

Friday will be characterised by changeable weather: there will be sunny spells as well as rain showers, which will spread from the west and may be heavy in places – including thunderstorms. 

Temperatures will be between 14C and 18C degrees, and in the Lausitz region in eastern Germany it could even reach a warm 20 degrees.

Warmer weeks

While this Sunday could still see some single digit temperatures in northern parts of Germany – such as 9C in Berlin and Hamburg – the coming week is set to experience continually warmer weather, remaining at 14C and higher. 

The first day of spring officially begins this year with the Spring Equinox on March 19th. The days will become even lighter in Germany after Daylight Savings Time, which this year takes place in the early hours of Easter Sunday, or March 31st.

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Germany in March 2024

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