Germany, a winter fairy tale - this currently applies to many regions between the Harz Mountains and the Alps.
The German Weather Service (DWD) announced on Saturday that the first days with temperatures below freezing have also been registered in the previously frost-free areas.
There is currently some snow, especially in north-eastern Germany, in parts of the eastern center and in the south.
The first winter sports fans were happy, as can be seen in the pictures - for example on the Sonnenberg in the Upper Harz Mountains, on the Ettelsberg in Hesse's largest ski area Willingen or in the winter sports arena Sauerland.
However, there were also some traffic accidents when there was black ice, for example in Baden-Württemberg.
DWD meteorologist Marcus Beyer reported in Offenbach that deep winter has been around since mid-November, particularly in the higher elevations of the eastern low mountain ranges – for example in the Bavarian Forest.
December has so far been significantly colder than the long-term average - "and slowly the first memories of the very snowy and cold December 2010 are coming to mind".
risk of freezing rain
It will be exciting next week on Wednesday night and on Wednesday itself. »A strong low is coming from France via Germany to Eastern Europe.
It is still unclear exactly on which train track this is happening.
The models don't agree on that yet," explained Beyer.
According to his explanations, a southern railway line would lead to heavy snowfall, especially in southern Germany.
If the low moves further north, the central parts of Germany would have to expect heavy snow, and in the south there would be freezing rain with significant effects.
“There are also model predictions that let the sleet streak progress to the middle.
Then rain would fall in the far south without ice,” explained Beyer.
According to the forecast, on Saturday it should snow mainly in the south and there primarily in the foothills of the Alps.
In the areas near the Alps, the snow could add up to five to ten centimeters by Sunday morning, and up to 20 centimeters of fresh snow in isolated areas.
Ski season has started
On Sunday there will be further, mostly light precipitation, especially over the eastern half.
They could strengthen in the east in the evening, they said.
From the Erzgebirge to eastern Western Pomerania, one to five centimeters of snow are possible, and a little more in some cases.
On Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze, the ski season has already started on the last second weekend of Advent.
On the Saturday of the third weekend in Advent, other areas followed in Bavaria.
It was said from the Thuringian Forest that no cross-country trails had yet been groomed, but many places were wrapped in a white winter coat.
gro/dpa