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WEATHER

‘Early spring’ to continue in Germany over weekend

According to the German Weather Service (DWD), this February weekend will be springlike - with temperatures in the two-digits around the country.

Published: 22 February 2019 16:28 CET
'Early spring' to continue in Germany over weekend
Crocuses bloom on a meadow in the Rhine Park in Düsseldorf on Friday. Photo: DPA

This holds especially true in the west and southwest, where the mercury could shoot up to 13 degrees on Saturday. Karlsruhe residents can make use of the country’s first outdoor swimming pool of the season, which opened on Friday.

SEE ALSO: Germany's first outdoor pool to open as temperatures reach 20C

On Friday, east of the Elbe river, temperatures were increasingly sunny in the afternoon. From Thuringia and Saxony to Bavaria, there was a bit of snow and drizzle. Skiers will be pleased to know that there’s a fresh layer of snow in the Alps.

Since a weather phenomenon known as “Frauke” is moving in with a fresh east wind, cold and dry mainland air prevails despite plenty of sunshine, according to meteorologists.

In the northeast of Germany, temperatures won’t rise above three to five degrees Celsius, and in the night to Sunday, some typically freezing February temperatures could occur.

However many people around Germany can let their guard, and winter jacket, down on Sunday. During the day and at the beginning of the week, it’s likely to be sunny and rather mild. 'Kaiserwetter' – or when barely a cloud is spotted in the blissful blue sky – will prevail in many parts of Germany.

SEE ALSO: German word of the day: Das Kaiserwetter

The temperatures should lie mostly between 9 and 14 degrees – and at the beginning of coming week, the mercury in west Germany could shoot up to a very pleasant 17 degrees.

“The spring seems to want to nest itself with us already one week before meteorological spring beginning,” said DWD Meteorologist Magdalena Bertelmann in view of these prospects.

For the meteorologists, spring will begin on March 1st. It’s official starting date in 2019 is March 20th.

'Wetter24' shows the temperature divide between east and much warmer west Germany on Friday.

It will follow a winter which was “too mild”, according to DWD.

“February was probably the eleventh month in a row that was too warm compared to the reference period,” said DWD spokesman Gerhard Lux.

Temperatures between 1961 to 1990 had stayed relatively similar, only fluctuating between 0.2 degrees. Yet this reference point had been exceeded by an average of about two degrees in December, January and February.

SEE ALSO: Spring in February? Winter temperatures as high as 15C to hit Germany

 

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WEATHER

More rain forecast as storms hit western Germany

Severe storms and heavy rain affected parts of Germany on Thursday, creating disruptions. More rain is forecast on Friday but weather warnings have been lifted.

Published: 3 May 2024 09:53 CEST
More rain forecast as storms hit western Germany

Major storms hit western Germany on Thursday, causing travel disruption and flooding. 

In parts of Baden-Württemberg, streets were flooded and rivers swelled. Bisingen, southwest of Tübingen, was particularly hard hit, with cellars and streets plunged under water.

Police said there was also traffic disruption. In Baden-Württemberg’s state capital Stuttgart, severe storms and lightning caused issues and some roads were closed.

A lightning strike in the Sigmaringen area resulted in a broken signal box on the railway line. According to Deutsche Bahn, no train journeys were possible in the region in the early evening with several delays and cancellations.

Other states were also affected.

There were around 300 relief operations in the Ahrweiler district in Rhineland-Palatinate, which was hit by the 2021 deadly flood disaster.

Police said no-on was injured, although basements and streets were flooded. The water levels of the Ahr were being closely monitored.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Silas Stein

In Trier, too, streets were flooded after heavy rain and there were hailstorms. The Koblenz police headquarters reported fallen trees. Significant property damage due to full cellars and flooded streets was also reported in some areas. 

Heavy showers also fell in Hesse, accompanied by thunder storms. In Frankfurt, according to the fire department, the heavy rain caused water to enter the Bethanien Hospital and even reach the intensive care unit of the clinic.

“We were able to contain the damage relatively quickly and prevent it from spreading,” said fire department spokesman Thorben Schemmel, adding that no patients were affected.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Eifel region was particularly affected, with reports of flooded streets after heavy rain and hailstorms.

North Rhine-Westphalia also saw storms late in the afternoon on Thursday. 

The German Weather Service (DWD) said it expected some heavy rain and hail in parts of the country on Friday – particularly in the west – and at the weekend but warnings of severe weather have been lifted. 

The DWD said there could still be one or two strong thunderstorms in the northeast on Friday. However, it will be a significantly quieter day compared to Thursday. Temperatures of up to 25C can be expected.

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