The turn of February and March brings spring-like weather anomalies to Western and Southern Europe. While Italy and some regions of Germany recorded temperatures reaching 20 degrees Celsius, a gradual cooling is observed in the north of the continent. This situation leads to a rapid disappearance of snow cover in medium-altitude mountains, forcing the closure of ski infrastructure, while a stable high-pressure system persists over the Mediterranean basin.
Spring warmth in the south
Italy and Spain are recording temperatures up to 20 degrees Celsius due to anticyclone dominance, heralding the end of winter.
End of skiing in the Harz
Rapid snowmelt in the German mountains forced the closure of all lifts and downhill runs.
Temporary breakdown in Germany
Sunday will bring cloud cover and fog in Bavaria and northern Germany, interrupting the sunny spell.
The beginning of March 2026 is being recorded in meteorological chronicles as an exceptionally warm period for a significant part of the European continent. The latest data from Italy indicates the dominance of a strong anticyclone, which has pushed temperatures to 19–20 degrees Celsius. The Apennine Peninsula is enjoying stable, sunny weather, prompting local commentators to declare the definitive end of winter in this region. However, this phenomenon has another side, as the lack of precipitation and high temperatures are affecting Alpine ecosystems. Meanwhile, the situation in Germany is more varied, although the trend of premature spring dominates. In southern states such as Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, or Rhineland-Palatinate, residents could enjoy sunshine and temperatures hovering around 16 degrees Celsius. Such strong warming has led to a dramatic situation in the Harz Mountains, where rapidly melting snow forced lift operators to immediately end the season. Ski runs and slopes have been closed, dealing a heavy blow to the local tourism industry, which was counting on extending winter activities. However, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) warns that this sunny spell will suffer a brief breakdown. In recent decades, a steady trend of earlier arrival of meteorological spring in Central Europe has been observed, linked to the more frequent presence of tropical air masses over the continent.Forecasts for the first Sunday of March predict the return of cloud cover and drizzle in northern Germany and Bavaria, where dense fog will also occur, limiting road visibility. Despite the temporary deterioration in weather, forecasters agree: the sun will return to most regions within the coming week. In Spain, meteorological spring has officially begun, and local services predict temperatures stabilizing at a high level. This situation requires residents to adopt the so-called "layering style," due to large daily temperature ranges – crisp mornings give way to very warm afternoons. The entire weather picture of the continent shows a strong contrast between the stable south and the dynamically changing conditions in the north, where rain and wind remind us that the transitional period is still ongoing. It is worth noting that stable weather in southern Europe favors planning early agricultural work, while in Germany this variability makes precise forecasting of heating energy demand difficult. Nevertheless, the general temperature rise in the Mediterranean region is already attracting the first tourists, as confirmed by reports from Italy and Spain.