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Germany has ‘mildest Christmas in decades’

Germany experienced a Christmas holiday with some of the mildest weather seen in decades, according to meteorologists.

Published: 27 December 2011 09:54 CET

Germany has 'mildest Christmas in decades'

Photo: DPA

Temperatures on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day reached the low double digits in much of northern Germany, something highly unusual for being so late in December, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

But there have been other even warmer Christmases on record, according to the DWD. In 1977 temperatures reached 16 degrees in Berlin on Christmas Eve.

December in general has been unusually mild with many complaining about poor skiing conditions, and a so-called ”Snow Church” in Bavaria having to delay its opening due to overly balmy weather.

Warm whether looks likely to continue into January with no snow in sight over the next few weeks for most of the country, the DWD said.

Though lovers of the white stuff may be upset, for many Germans it will be a welcome change from last year, when massive snow storms snarled holiday travels and left the country’s train network struggling for weeks to get back on schedule.

The Local/DAPD/mdm

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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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