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WEATHER

Germany to see return of winter weather

Germany has enjoyed sunny days, clear skies and largely dry weather, leaving many to think spring is here to stay. But forecasters say another winter spell is coming - and possibly even snow.

Winter weather in Munich on January 22nd 2022.
Winter weather in Munich on January 22nd 2022. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel

Many of us in Germany have no doubt been enjoying the spring-like weather of late. 

But the dry and pleasant spell is coming to an end for now – with sleet and possibly snow forecast for later this week.

Monday was the last day of the period of good weather, said the German Weather Service (DWD) in its forecast. Now the situation in Europe is changing. “Polar air will flow into Germany from Scandinavia in the coming days,” said the DWD.

According to the experts, clouds and sun will alternate in the north on Wednesday, and isolated sleet or snow showers are possible. In the centre and south of Germany, the sky will remain heavily clouded over – with rain, which could also turn into sleet or snow in the mountains. In the south, isolated thunderstorms are to be expected.

READ ALSO: Germany sees sunny spring start with temperatures up to 20C

Winter arrives at the weekend

The DWD said highs will range from 4C to 15C from north to south. At night, temperatures will drop to 5C in the south and to -3C in the north.

According to their forecast, it will continue to rain on Thursday, but there will also be longer sunny spells on coastal areas. Highs are expected to range between 4C and 8C, with a little more sun in the west bringing temperatures up to 10C.

But winter will forcefully return at the weekend.

“Snow, frost and icy conditions will be an issue again,” the DWD said. “On Friday and Saturday, the peak of the cold spell will be reached.”

Temperatures then will reach between 2C and 7C, and it will be frosty at night.

South of the Danube and especially in the Alps there will likely be snow. Otherwise, localised rain, sleet and sleet showers are on the way, especially towards the coast and in the neighbouring inland areas, said the DWD.

Time to dig out your winter coat once more. 

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WEATHER

Severe weather warnings issued as Germany braces for more storms

Extreme weather warnings for heavy rainfall remain in place in parts of Germany on Friday following flooding in the south. There is also a chance of thunderstorms at the weekend.

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. 

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