Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

WEATHER

Rain and mild temperatures across Germany forecast before end of year

The last few days of 2017 will see rainy and windy weather as well as comparatively milder temperatures, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

Published: 29 December 2017 15:07 CET

Rain and mild temperatures across Germany forecast before end of year

Rainy, mild weather in Bavaria in February 2014. Photo: DPA.

Whereas the sun will make an appearance for those who live in eastern Germany on Friday, the west could see precipitation – especially in the afternoon.

On Saturday highs of between 5C and 13C – warmer than average temperatures for the time of year – are predicted across much of the country.

SEE ALSO: Hope for White Christmas melts away as warm front moves in

There’s also a high probability of showers on Saturday, report DWD meteorologists. 30 to 80 litres of rain per square metre especially in the west and around low mountain ranges are expected for the last 48 hours of 2017.

Meanwhile on higher ground in the mountains and by the coastline up north, storm gusts are forecast. Wetter.de moreover warns of the danger of stormy weather in the Black Forest and in parts of the Alps in the south.

On Sunday – New Year’s Eve – it will be unusually mild with highs of up to 18C in the southwest. But it will also be rather warm in many other parts of the Bundesrepublik; highs of 9C and 12C are predicted for Berlin.

It is highly probable the year will end off virtually frost and snow free across the country with lows on Sunday of 2C and 8C.

READ ALSO: Why Germany probably isn't on track for coldest winter in a century

Severe weather warnings issued as Germany braces for more storms

Severe weather is expected in the southwest of the country on Friday, with the heaviest rain expected in Saarbrücken, as well as the surrounding areas of Saarland and southern Rhineland-Palatinate.

In these areas Germany’s weather service (DWD) has level 4 warnings in place – meaning that the rain is expected to be extremely heavy (more than 40 litres per square metre in an hour, or 60 litres per square metre in 6 hours).

Slightly less severe, but still heavy continuous rain can also be expected in the surrounding regions, extending as far as Stuttgart and Mainz.

Speaking to Bild newspaper, Climatologist Dr. Karsten Brandt suggested that the heavy precipitation and thunderstorms will continue to move northwest, even into southern North-Rhine Westphalia (Aachen).

There are also wind warnings in parts of the country, with squalls expected on the Brocken and the Fichtelberg mountains, as well as in the Black Forest and in the Alps.

Currently, the highest wind warnings are in Dresden and southern Bavaria near the Alps.

Friday’s weather warnings come in the wake of chaotic weather that flooded Nuremberg and parts of Bavaria Thursday night, where many roads flooded. Cars were submerged in water and bus routes were cancelled.

A number of household cellars also flooded as well as a large underground car park at the Technical University.

READ ALSO: Record heat deaths and floods – How Germany is being hit by climate change

What will the weekend bring?

Beyond the area of severe weather warnings but not beyond the reach of the storm, Cologne will have some rain on Friday which may continue on through the weekend.

Germany’s northern and eastern regions have dodged the recent bout of storms so far, but in Berlin scattered thunderstorms can be expected to move in by Sunday afternoon. This may put a dampener on the Karneval der Kulturen parade.

In Bremen and Hamburg, residents can expect some rain showers on Sunday and Monday, with a chance of thunderstorms as well.

In Munich and Nuremberg, it looks as if the worst is over. Some small showers may continue into Saturday, but Bavarian residents can look forward to a sunny Sunday ahead of the public holiday on Monday for Pentecost.

READ ALSO:

Url copied to clipboard!