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WEATHER

Easter holiday weather: What can Germany expect?

After a blast of warm weather, spring weather has taken a turn for the worst in recent days. But there’s good news as we move into Easter week.

Published: 12 April 2019 16:27 CEST
Easter holiday weather: What can Germany expect?
Photo: DPA

This is a German language-learner article. Vocabulary words have been italicized.

With many states in Germany starting their school holidays on Monday, the weather outlook at first appears to be a bit disappointing.

On Friday and Saturday forecasters from the German Weather Service (DWD) said that very cool air had come into the country leading to low digits across Deutschland.

With highs of around 8C in Berlin (and lows of 2C), while in western Germany the temperature will struggle to get above 4C, it's not the best start to spring.

It's all the more disappointing after last weekend's flurry of sunshine that pushed temperatures over 20C in some places.

SEE ALSO: Seven signs that spring has arrived in Germany

Forecasters said there could even be some sleet and frost in the early hours of Saturday, particularly in mountain regions.

“In regions with dense cloud cover at night, however, the risk of frost and therefore also the risk of icy conditions is low,” added DWD expert Sebastian Schappert on Friday.

Good news ahead

However, over the course of next week the cool air shifts its focus to western Russia, which means milder air will gradually spread over Germany, allowing spring to make its comeback.

Forecasters predict that on Good Friday temperatures could reach above 20C in some parts of the country.

The highest temperatures are expected in the Rhineland area (forecasters predict 22C). In other areas it will be between 17 and 19C.

However, at the North Sea and Baltic Sea it will probably feel a little fresher, with highs of about 14C.

Over the long Easter weekend, which lasts through Monday, April 22nd, the best weather is expected to be in the northern half of the country, which will have dry and sunny spells.

Over the course of next weekend, it could be changeable in the west and southwest of Germany so keep an eye out for weather forecasts nearer the time to get a better picture of the scenario.

Best to bring your Übergangsjacke (in-between-seasons-jacket) if you're talking part in an outdoor Easter egg hunt, just in case.

SEE ALSO: German word of the day: Übergangsjacke

Vocabulary

Very cool air – sehr kühle Luft

Changeable – Wechselhaft

Easter – Ostern

Good Friday – Karfreitag

We're aiming to help our readers improve their German by translating vocabulary from some of our news stories. Did you find this article useful? Do you have any suggestions? Let us know.

 

 

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LIVING IN GERMANY

Inside Germany: Boozy public holidays, bilingual kids and the countdown to Euro 2024

From public holidays to getting ready for Euro 2024 and how to help children grow up in a bilingual household, here's what we're talking about in Germany this week.

Published: 4 May 2024 08:19 CEST
Inside Germany: Boozy public holidays, bilingual kids and the countdown to Euro 2024

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

A good year for public holidays (especially May) 

After the long and dark winter in Germany, it’s a relief to see more daylight and even some sun. And when spring rolls around, there’s another nice perk of living in Germany – public holidays. This season is when you get to relax, not work as much and enjoy being outside. At the end of March, we had a couple of days off for Easter and in May there are several Feiertage. 

We kicked off the month with International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, known as Tag der Arbeit in Germany. Luckily, the weather was pleasant and warm across the country as people attended demonstrations, May Day parades or relaxed in the sun. I took a turn to see the festivities in Berlin’s Kreuzberg area – a traditional spot for Tag der Arbeit gatherings – in the afternoon but was quickly stressed out by the crowds. I don’t know if the sun had gone to everyone’s head but it did seem like people were drinking more this year than usual. 

Next Thursday, May 9th, is Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) which is also a public holiday. Of course this is also Fathers’ Day or Vatertag in Germany. It’s another one where you are likely to run into a lot of drunk people. It has always amused me that it’s a tradition for men to fill a cart with booze and go hiking with their drinks in the afternoon. Next up on Monday May 20th is Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) which is another Feiertag – but maybe will be less boozy than the others. Lastly, there’s a regional holiday on Thursday May 30th for Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) – but it’s not nationwide. 

It’s safe to say that it’s a pretty good year for public holidays in Germany since most don’t fall on the weekend. As long-time readers of The Local will know, one of my biggest bugbears about living in Germany is that we lose a holiday if the event does not fall on a week day. But never mind the holidays, who has channelled their inner German and already booked their ‘bridge days’ off?

READ ALSO: Bridge days – how to maximise your public holiday like a German 

Countdown on for the Euros in Germany

June is a busy month in Germany. Not only is the new citizenship law coming into force (on June 26th!), but the UEFA European Football Championship or Euro 2024 kicks off. A total of 24 teams are gearing up to compete in the tournament, which takes place from June 14th to July 14th. Over 22 match days, a total of 51 games will be played.

It’s quite a special occasion for me because Germany’s national team is taking on Scotland in the very first game in Munich – and I am Scottish! I’m excited for my fellow country men and women to pop over from the island (although I do hope everyone is on their best behaviour). 

A view of Group A for Euro 2024.

A view of Group A in the Euro 2024 tournament. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christian Charisius

Although I’m not a huge football fan, I do enjoy these big tournaments and the atmosphere in Germany is always fantastic. It’s usually very inclusive with screenings set up in beer gardens and even outside off-licences or Spätis as they are called in Berlin. People tend to let their guards down, mingle with strangers and enjoy the beautiful game. Of course I will be hoping that Scotland win. Who are you rooting for in the tournament?

READ ALSO: Euro 2024 – What can you expect in Germany during Europe’s biggest football frenzy?

Tips on bringing up bilingual children 

I was delighted to hear from readers about their experiences of helping raise their children in a bilingual or even multilingual environment. 

Many of the respondents to our recent survey said that parents should have trust in the German education system – and stick to their native tongue at home. 

Siniša, 44, from Hesse, who speaks Croatian and English at home, said: “Speak your native language at home. The school will ‘cover’ German and other languages.”

Steve, 55, who lives in Munich and speaks English and Spanish with his daughter, added: “Be consistent and raise your child in your native tongue. At a local school, they will learn German quickly.”

“For international parents, I think it’s very important that their children do not lose touch with their mother tongue, as it is a very special part of their identity,” said Prashanth, 42, who lives in Munich.

Read our full story for more, and don’t forget to listen to our Germany in Focus podcast where we hear from The Local Germany’s former editor Rachel Stern talk about her experience of raising her daughter Amelie, who is almost three-years-old, in a bilingual home. 

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