Early Week Forecast: Snow and Slippery Conditions Ahead

Germany is expected to experience continued cold weather with wintry conditions at the onset of the upcoming week. Tanja Sauter, a representative from the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach, has indicated that the weather will maintain its chilly and occasionally unstable nature. Snowfall is anticipated in higher elevations, replacing typical rain showers, while lightning and thunder are possible in isolated instances. Ground frost remains a concern, posing challenges for gardening enthusiasts.

The DWD forecasts Monday to be predominantly cloudy with potential rain showers in northern, western, and central regions, alongside snowfall in mountainous areas. Temperatures are expected to range between three to eleven degrees Celsius, with frosty conditions during mornings and evenings, with temperatures plummeting as low as minus ten degrees Celsius.

In Hesse, a mixture of sunshine and precipitation is expected, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain showers likely on Monday, accompanied by snow showers in mountainous terrain. Tuesday night may see a reduction in cloud cover, leading to frosty and slippery conditions with temperatures dipping between minus one to minus four degrees Celsius.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, light rain showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible on Monday, with snowfall expected above 500 meters in altitude. Tuesday night will likely be frosty and slippery, with temperatures ranging between minus one to minus four degrees Celsius.

Berlin and Brandenburg are forecasted to begin the week with cool and cloudy conditions, followed by daytime temperatures ranging from five to eight degrees Celsius on Monday. Localized rain or sleet showers are expected in the afternoon, tapering off in the evening, with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight.

Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Hamburg will experience frost, snow showers, and slippery conditions at the week's onset due to polar air masses. Monday morning will start with light frost in some areas and temperatures ranging from zero to minus three degrees Celsius. Mountainous regions and eastern parts of Schleswig-Holstein are likely to experience slippery conditions due to fresh snow and freezing moisture.

Tuesday is expected to remain predominantly dry, with central Germany potentially experiencing friendlier weather with temperatures reaching up to 12 degrees Celsius. However, Wednesday night may bring rain south of the Danube and snowfall above 500 to 800 meters in elevation. Lowest temperatures are forecasted to range from 3 to 0 degrees Celsius under cloudy skies, and 1 to minus 3 degrees Celsius otherwise, with mountainous areas dropping to minus 6 degrees Celsius. Sauter advises plant lovers to take precautions against frost damage.

Wednesday's weather will be changeable, with intermittent clouds and occasional showers throughout the day, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 11 degrees Celsius. Sauter notes that in mountainous regions, snowfall may occur at higher elevations, evoking a wintry atmosphere reminiscent of Christmas. Thursday night is expected to remain wet, with temperatures ranging from 4 to minus 2 degrees Celsius, and reaching minus 5 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas.

Image by Egor Shitikov from Pixabay