This winter in Germany will go down in history as a period of extreme weather phenomena. It was dominated by both record snowfalls, unseen for years in Berlin or Mecklenburg, and exceptionally high temperatures at the end of February, exceeding 20 degrees Celsius in Thuringia. While the north of the country enjoyed the snowiest conditions since 2012, the southern and western regions recorded an exceptionally mild, dry, and sunny winter.
Extreme Thuringia
On the penultimate day of February, temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius were recorded there.
End of the Season in the Mountains
Sudden warming caused the closure of ski slopes in the Harz and Hesse due to lack of snow.
Records in the North
Berlin and northern states recorded the snowiest winter in a decade, despite overall warming.
Rainfall Deficit
Many regions, including Saxony, despite snow, are struggling with an overall lack of moisture and excess sunshine.
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) and regional information centers are summarizing the winter of 2025/2026, pointing to its unusual, contradictory nature. In the final days of February, Germany experienced a sudden onset of spring, leading to massive snowmelt in mountainous regions. In the Harz, a popular winter sports center, a drastic temperature rise forced the closure of ski lifts and downhill slopes almost overnight. A similar situation occurred on the slopes of Hesse, where skiing enthusiasts had to bid farewell to the season in full sunshine and temperatures heralding early spring. Thuringia became a symbol of this warming, recording over 20 degrees Celsius at the end of February, an unprecedented result for this time of year. Despite the sudden warming, the overall winter balance indicates significant regional variation. Berlin recorded its heaviest snowfall in 14 years, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein experienced their snowiest winter since 2012. Conversely, in the western part of the country, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland, the winter was exceptionally mild and featured record rainfall alongside a simultaneous sunshine deficit. In many states, despite temporary heavy precipitation, the entire season was classified as too dry compared to long-term averages, raising concerns about groundwater levels ahead of the upcoming growing season. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Central Europe has seen an increase in the frequency of weather extremes, which scientists link to progressing climate change and the destabilization of the polar vortex. Meteorological data confirms that February became a month of extremes – from frosty days with abundant snow in the north to almost summery afternoons in the south and center of the country. Saxony and Thuringia ended the season with a balance indicating a high number of sunshine hours, which, however, did not compensate for soil moisture deficits. This phenomenon fits into the observed multi-year trend of shortening the period of persistent snow cover in mid-mountain areas, casting doubt on the future of many smaller ski resorts in non-Alpine regions. „Es war ein Februar der Wetterextreme, von frostigem Winter bis hin zu fast schon sommerlichen Temperaturen innerhalb weniger Wochen.” — German Meteorological Service (DWD)