Germany is concluding this year's winter under meteorological extremes. While Berlin and the north of the country experienced the snowiest winter in 14 years, the southwest recorded a record-breaking 23 degrees Celsius for February. The German Weather Service (DWD) indicates that the season was on average warmer, drier, and sunnier than long-term norms, despite local episodes of paralyzing snowfall.

Temperature Record in February

In southwestern Germany, thermometers showed 23 degrees, which constitutes a historical maximum for this month in the region.

Snowy Winter in the North

Berlin and the northern states recorded the heaviest snowfall since 2012, and in the capital since 14 years ago.

Rainfall Deficit in Saxony

Despite local snowfall, winter in Saxony and Thuringia was classified as too dry and sunny.

End of Ski Season

Rapid warming is forcing the closure of ski slopes in Hesse and other mid-mountain regions.

This year's winter in Germany will go down in history as a period of unusual weather contrasts, as confirmed by the latest data from the German Weather Service. On the last Friday of February, the southwestern regions of the country experienced a surge of spring warmth that led to temperatures exceeding the 23-degree Celsius barrier. This is an unprecedented value for this month, eliciting both enthusiasm from residents and concern from climatologists. This phenomenon sharply contrasts with the situation in Berlin and the federal states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein, where the heaviest snowfall since 2012 was recorded. The German capital faced snow cover not seen in 14 years, forcing city services to work intensively for many weeks. Despite these frosty episodes in the north, the overall balance for the entire country suggests the winter was too mild. In North Rhine-Westphalia, average temperatures deviated significantly from the norm, and in Hesse, ski resorts are having to end the season due to rapidly progressing thaws. Thuringia and Saxony, on the other hand, experienced an exceptionally sunny but also worryingly dry winter, which may herald problems for agriculture in the coming months. Meteorologists emphasize that the abrupt transitions from frost and snow to almost summer temperatures are a manifestation of increasing climate instability. Even in regions where the winter was snowy, the total precipitation often remained below expectations, further deepening the groundwater deficit. Systematic temperature measurements in Germany have been conducted since 1881. Over the last three decades, scientists have observed a drastic shortening of periods with persistent snow cover in lower-lying areas alongside an increase in extreme February temperatures.The situation in Saarland constitutes a separate chapter in this year's statistics, where record rainfall was recorded alongside an almost complete lack of sunshine. Such large regional discrepancies make it difficult to provide a single, coherent characterization of the season for the entire country. While residents of Munich enjoy a sunny and spring-like end to February, the north of the country is still cleaning up the remnants of snowstorms. This diversity affects social moods and the economy, from winter tourism to preparations for the growing season. „Winter war milder, trockener und sonniger als im Mittel.” (The winter was milder, drier, and sunnier than average.) — German Weather Service