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WEATHER

IN PICS: 7 signs spring has already sprung in Germany

Monday marked the first official day of spring 2017. And while it may still feel a bit chilly where you live, there are some quite visible signs that the season is already underway.

Published: 21 March 2017 10:42 CET
IN PICS: 7 signs spring has already sprung in Germany
A bee enjoying the new spring flowers in Munich. Photo: DPA.

Monday March 20th was the first official day of spring for the Northern Hemisphere. And after all the cold and grey of winter, residents of Germany are naturally anxious to get the new season started.

Fortunately it seems the first spring flowers are already peaking up through the ground, like below at the Köpenick Palace in Berlin.

Photo: DPA.

The German Weather Service (DWD) still predicts rainy weather for east and south Germany on Tuesday and Wednesday, but temperatures are also gradually rising.

By Friday and Saturday, central and southern Germany are expected to see the mercury rise up to 17C and 18C, respectively.

So you may be able to go outside with fewer layers on as you enjoy the new foliage, like the almond tree blooming in Frankfurt, pictured below.

Photo: DPA.

In Stuttgart on Monday, the first flowers of the magnolia trees were emerging amid mild temperatures in the Baden-Württemberg capital.

Photo: DPA.

According to the DWD, an early spring started to ring in this year at the end of February, with hazelnut blossoms, snowdrops and alders awakening.

The dog pictured below seems to quite enjoy these crocuses that sprung up at the start of March in Düsseldorf.

Photo: DPA.

And all the new greenery means it's time again to wander through the vast gardens of the many castles and palaces dotted across Germany, like the massive Ludwigsburg Palace shown below in Baden-Württemberg.

Photo: DPA.

Or maybe it's time to get out and visit your favourite local park to see if there are any new buds blooming there.

In Husum, Schleswig-Holstein pictured below, it seems things are already awash with the colour violet.

Photo: DPA.

And let's not forget one of the best parts of sunny weather: being able to emerge from the dark tavern or Kneipe on the corner and say “Prost” to a drink outdoors.

These two in Berlin certainly have the right idea. Happy spring!

Photo: DPA.

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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