Over the past few days, snow showers and persistent frost have dominated the German landscape, leading to hazardous roads, delayed flights and interruptions to rail services in some regions.
With wintry conditions expected to persist, the German Weather Service (DWD) continues to warn of icy roads, as well as advising travellers to check connections digitally and adjust their plans accordingly.
In particular, motorists are urged to exercise caution, reduce speed and remain vigilant for poor visibility caused by fog.
What is the forecast for the next few days?
The current wintry spell is set to linger over the coming days, with Germany experiencing some of the coldest temperatures of the season.
The current cold snap is the result of low-pressure systems over northern Europe and a high-pressure zone to the northwest and west, drawing very cold, moist air over the North Sea and triggering widespread snow showers.
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This band of weather is expected to remain in place for the next few days, shifting only slightly northward. Night-time low temperatures in Alpine valleys could dip as low as minus 20C this week, while other snow‑covered regions in the south, and higher regions elsewhere are also expected see double-digit sub-zero temperatures, according to the DWD.
Daytime conditions will remain frosty across large parts of the country, with only the west and northwest likely to see temperatures above freezing until at least the middle of the week.
After that, milder air is forecast to arrive from the west, although this could well mean that wetter weather will follow.
Regional outlook: What to expect where you live
Weather conditions will vary considerably across Germany in the coming days.
Residents in the north, including cities such as Hamburg and areas like Schleswig-Holstein, should brace for repeated heavy snow showers, with some locations likely to see up to 20 centimetres of new snow within the next 24 hours. Sleet storms are also possible, particularly along the North Sea coast and in East Frisia.
The centre of the country, including regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia and the Emsland, is expected to experience similar wintry conditions, with light snow showers spreading from the northwest and west.
Berlin will see mostly cloudy skies, persistent frost and occasional light snow showers with daytime highs between minus 2C and zero and night-time lows down to minus 8C or even minus 10C.
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In contrast, southern Germany – including Munich and the Alpine valleys – will benefit from calmer weather due to an extension of the high-pressure area. But severe frost is expected to persist, especially in Alpine valleys.
Here, night-time temperatures could potentially fall below minus 15C, and locally as low as minus 20C. Fog is to be expected, alternating with possible sunny spells.
Western regions, such as Cologne and the Rhineland, are expected to see a gradual rise in temperatures by the middle of the week, with highs of up to 4C. Snowfall should ease, but rain or sleet showers may develop as milder Atlantic air arrives.
Despite the slight rise in temperature, slippery roads and wintry hazards are likely to remain a concern throughout the region. Night-time frost is expected to persist, with lows around minus 4C to minus 6C.
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