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WEATHER

Spring returns: Temperatures up to 20C forecast in Germany

After fierce storms, including a tornado, caused chaos across the country, there is good news: spring-like weather is returning to Germany.

Published: 19 March 2019 11:22 CET
Spring returns: Temperatures up to 20C forecast in Germany
Flowers are blooming in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg. Photo: DPA

This week temperatures could hit 20C in some parts of the country thanks to a new band of high pressure, dubbed “Hannelore” by forecasters. 

“Just in time for the beginning of spring: Hannelore brings mild air and sunshine on Wednesday, with local temperatures of 15C in the west. At night, however, it's frosty,” tweeted the German Weather Service (DWD).

After a cold start on Tuesday morning, forecasters predict that temperatures will climb to the low teens on Wednesday, which is officially the first day of spring according to meteorologists. And it will be even warmer in the second half of the week. 

It's a stark contrast to last week when torrential rain, snow, high winds — and even a tornado — struck Germany, leaving a trail of devastation. It also comes a few weeks after the first unofficial spring hit the country bringing with it unseasonably warm temperatures for February. 

SEE ALSO: 'Short and violent' tornado strikes town near Aachen

SEE ALSO: IN PICTURES: High winds, torrential rain and snow hit Germany

Sunshine and increasing temperatures

More sun is expected later in the day Tuesday.  “From the North Sea to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there is more sunshine,” weather expert Stefanie Scharping of the MeteoGroup told German news site T Online. “In the southwest there are also lots of sunny spells.”

In Berlin temperatures of 9C were expected on Tuesday, while in the Rhineland area, the thermometer was forecast to reach 12C.

But it remains cold in some places: there is likely to be fresh snow at the Erzgebirge mountain region and the Alps. 

On Wednesday many parts of Germany will experience a mix of sunshine and clouds. In the area around Münsterland, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and parts of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it will be cloudier. Those living on the coast could see some rain.

“It's about to get warmer,” tweeted the German Weather Service (DWD) on Tuesday. 

The southern half will remain dry and sunny. In the east highs of 13C are forecast, while it could reach 15C in the west.

Freiburg on Monday. Photo: DPA

On Thursday it will remain dry for the most part, although some rain could fall in the north.

Temperatures are likely to reach 17C in the Lower Rhine area, 13C in Munich and 15C in Berlin. 

On Friday it will remain sunny in the southern half of Germany, and in the north there is likely to be a mix of sun and clouds. At the Baltic Sea it will be about 10C, in Berlin 16C and 17C in Munich. In Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, positively spring-like temperatures of up to 20C are forecast along with sunshine.

In parts of Brandenburg, such as Potsdam and Cottbus, the mercury could hit 19C on Friday, reported the Berliner Zeitung.

At the weekend temperatures are likely to drop slightly but it will remain mild especially in the south west. 

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WEATHER

Germany braces for more severe storms and heavy rain

Storms have been sweeping across Germany since Friday. Residents in the south-west were hit first, but other regions can expect thunderstorms and severe rain from Tuesday.

Published: 21 May 2024 10:28 CEST
Germany braces for more severe storms and heavy rain

Parts of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Saarland should be prepared for thunderstorms and heavy rain.

“On Tuesday, another low-pressure zone will form over Germany, increasing the risk of severe weather,” said the German Weather Service (DWD).

Over the Whitsun weekend, a series of storms hit Germany. Residents in Saarland and south-west Rhineland-Palatinate in particular battled against flooding.

A deluge of rain caused landslides as well as flooded roads and cellars in these two regions. Rail services also came to a temporary standstill, but resumed on Saturday.

According to Saarland state premier Anke Rehlinger (SPD), emergency services were called out on 4,000 rescue operations. However, tragedy struck when a 67-year-old woman died after being hit by an emergency vehicle. Authorities said no one else was seriously injured.

READ ALSO: Floods easing in Germany’s Saarland but situation remains serious

From the Eifel via central Hesse to Bavaria

From Tuesday, stormy weather will affect other regions in Germany.

“This time, the focus will probably not be in Saarland and southern Rhineland-Palatinate, but a little further north, in the area from the Eifel region to central Hesse and south-east Bavaria,” said meteorologist Nico Bauer from the DWD.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and Saarland State premier Anke Rehlinger (R) wades through water as they visit flood stricken town of Kleinblittersdorf.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and Saarland State premier Anke Rehlinger (R) wades through water as they visit flood stricken town of Kleinblittersdorf. Photo: Iris Maria Maurer / AFP

From the early afternoon, thunderstorms, some of them heavy, are expected in a strip from south-east and eastern Bavaria via Hesse to northern Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.

Heavy rainfall of up to 25 litres per square metre is forecast to hit these areas. Locally, up to 40 litres per square metre is possible. Hailstones and high winds are also expected. According to the DWD, heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely to move to the north-east of Germany during the night to Wednesday.

Isolated storms have also affected other regions in Germany. Four people are fighting for their lives and a further six are seriously injured following a lightning strike on the banks of the Elbe in Dresden on Monday evening. 

Damage ‘in the millions’ 

While the current crisis is not yet over, the areas affected by heavy flooding are already beginning to come to terms with the situation. According to initial estimates, the floods have caused damage “well into the millions”, Saarland’s state premier Rehlinger said. The exact extent will only be known once the water has receded completely.

“However, it is already clear today that we will have to deal with massive damage to private property, but also to infrastructure such as roads, bridges and day care centres,” she said. “We have been fighting against masses of water for a few days, but we will certainly have to deal with the consequences for years.”

According to DWD meteorologist Bauer, heavy rainfall like this is becoming more frequent in Germany due to climate change.

“They are becoming more frequent and more intense, simply because a warmer atmosphere can absorb more moisture and the rainfall is therefore heavier,” he said. 

READ ALSO: ‘Record heat deaths and floods’: How Germany is being hit by climate change

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