Germany seems to have forgotten what extreme winters are like. The winter of 2024/25 is bidding farewell as another one of the comparatively “mild” winters of recent years, as revealed by the preliminary report from the German Meteorological Service (DWD).
Although it didn’t break records, it adds to a series of 14 consecutive winters with temperatures above average. This analysis is based on data collected by around 2,000 measuring stations distributed throughout the country.
The average temperature during this winter was 2.1 degrees Celsius, representing an increase of 1.9 degrees compared to values recorded in the reference period of 1961-1990.
Compared to the most recent period (1991-2020), the increase was 0.7 degrees. Although the winter of 2023/24 reached a higher average of 4.0 degrees, the historical record still belongs to the winter of 2006/07, with an average of 4.4 degrees Celsius.
More sun and less rain in Germany’s winter of 2024/25
In terms of precipitation, this winter accumulated approximately 155 liters per square meter, which is equivalent to 86% of the average for the period of 1961-1990 and 82% of the value for the interval 1991-2020. In contrast, the hours of sunlight were surprising as they exceeded historical averages: 194 hours of sunlight were recorded, 27% more than the reference period of 1961-1990 and 14% above the range for 1991-2020.
The meteorological winter, which extends from December 1 to February 28, was characterized by mild and dry conditions, with more sunny days than usual. The astronomical arrival of spring in Germany, marked by the equinox when the sun is directly above the equator, will be on March 20, 2025.
European regions facing extreme winters
Due to climate change, extreme cold waves in Northern Europe will be less frequent but more dangerous, revealed a study published this Wednesday. Finland, Norway, and Sweden experienced a strong cold wave in January that broke records.
The town of Vittangi in northern Sweden reached the lowest temperature in the three countries since the beginning of the century, with -44.6 degrees Celsius. In Oslo, the temperature dropped below -30ºC for the first time, reaching -31.1ºC.
Currently, five-day cold waves are five times less likely, and extreme cold days are 12 times less likely according to a study conducted by researchers from the World Weather Attribution network (WA).
Have you already visited our YouTube channel? Subscribe now!
