German revelers are facing a sudden deterioration in weather at the peak of the carnival season. The German Meteorological Service is warning of intense snowfall, freezing rain, and hailstorms affecting a large part of the country. Difficult road conditions have already led to a series of accidents, and forecasters predict the dangerous situation will persist until Tuesday, impacting traditional parades and the safety of street party participants.

Meteorological Alert for Germany

The DWD service warns of snow and black ice across the country. The most difficult conditions are in the mountains and the northeast.

Disruptions on Rosenmontag

The carnival climax is taking place amid hail showers and low temperatures. A series of road accidents have occurred in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Forecast for Tuesday

Further cooling is expected on Tuesday. Drivers must watch out for freezing rain and snowstorms during morning commutes.

This year's final carnival celebrations in Germany are marked by extreme weather phenomena. Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) has issued a series of warnings for almost all federal states, indicating an incoming front bringing snow, hail, and dangerous black ice. The most difficult situation is in mountainous regions and the northeast of the country, where snow cover could increase by several centimeters in just a few hours. In the Harz mountains alone, up to 10 centimeters of fresh snow is expected, which, combined with gusty winds, creates a risk of snowdrifts and blizzards. In western Germany, the situation is no less dynamic. Although temperatures in cities like Mainz or Cologne hover around zero, there are violent hailstorms and sleet. Participants of traditional Rosenmontag parades have been urged to exercise special caution and choose warm, waterproof costumes instead of light disguises. Emergency services in Rhineland-Palatinate have already recorded the first road incidents caused by slippery surfaces, raising concerns about the safety of returns from mass events. German carnival, traditionally ending on Ash Wednesday, has its roots in medieval rituals related to bidding farewell to winter and preparing for Lent. Forecasts for Shrove Tuesday are also not optimistic. Meteorologists predict further temperature drops and stabilization of snow cover, especially in Bavaria and Hesse. Drivers planning morning commutes must reckon with icy roads. „In the mountains and the northeast, precipitation will be exclusively snowy, which will significantly worsen road conditions.” — Sebastian Schappert This situation casts a shadow over the final days of the boisterous festivities, forcing organizers to adjust plans for some smaller local gatherings. Predicted Snowfall (in cm): Harz: 10, Bavaria (indicative): 5, Hesse (north): 3, Saxony-Anhalt: 3 10 cm — this much snow may fall in the Harz mountains during Rosenmontag

Mentioned People

  • Sebastian Schappert — Meteorologist at the German Meteorological Service (DWD) forecasting intense snowfall.