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WEATHER

Winds of change: German weather systems to be given more diverse names

Germans will soon see names like Bozena, Chana and Erhan on weather maps as part of a drive to raise awareness of a lack of representation in the media.

Winds of change: German weather systems to be given more diverse names
A man takes a walk amid 'Weather Front Ahmed' in Filderstadt, Baden-Württemberg. Photo: DPA

A new German campaign by a media group raising awareness of the country's diversity on Tuesday brought snow front Ahmet sweeping in.

Each year, Germany gives names to its high- and low-pressure weather systems, with the names published in forecasts and widely circulated in the media.

Instead of conventionally German names like Dirk, Helge and Rolf — all featured in 2020 — this year's weather systems will be given names more typical of migrant backgrounds thanks to a campaign by New German Media Makers, which gathers journalists from underrepresented backgrounds.

The organisation sponsored the names of 14 weather fronts for 2021, including names from Arabic, Kurdish and Slavic communities, aiming to reflect Germany's diversity and argue for greater representation in the media.

“The weather highs and lows almost always only have names like Gisela and Helmut,” New German Media Makers said. “Time for that to change.”

The organisation bought the names — €250 for low-pressure areas, and €350 for high-pressure systems, which tend to last longer — using private donations, it said.

“Making the weather more diverse is just a symbolic step,” said chairman Ferda Ataman. “It is important that social diversity finally becomes normal, everywhere.”

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WEATHER

‘Turbo spring’: Germany to see temperatures above 25C

Germany is set for a blast of warm weather in the coming week as the colder spell eases off.

'Turbo spring': Germany to see temperatures above 25C

“The late winter weather of the past few days with frost and snow is a thing of the past for the time being, and spring will kick into turbo gear over the next few days,” said meteorologist Adrian Leyser from the German Weather Service (DWD) on Friday.

Temperatures are expected to rise sharply over the weekend with plenty of sunshine, forecasters said. In Germany anything above 25C is classed as a summer day. “The summer mark of 25C will be cracked regionally as early as Sunday,” said Leyser.

It comes as snow and hail hit Germany last week, and temperatures fell below freezing in some places.

But showers and thunderstorms are still possible in the west and north of Germany. Maximum temperatures there are expected to reach around 20C. 

According to the DWD, spring will get a little damper on Monday, with a few rain spells.  “However, the next low pressure system over Western Europe is preparing to turn on the warm air jet again from Tuesday,” said the meteorologist.

On Wednesday – which is a public holiday across Germany for International Workers’ Day – temperatures could soar nearer 30C. 

“In the south and east, we are even approaching the 30C mark,” said Leyser. However, the weather will remain “susceptible to disruption”, said Leyser, especially in the west where there is a risk of isolated and sometimes severe thunderstorms.

READ ALSO: What to do on May 1st in Germany

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