Weather in Germany: is winter coming now?

Polar vortex brings frost and arctic cold

Created: 01/06/2022, 07:02 AM

From: Luisa Weckesser

Is there an Arctic outbreak in January?

Meteorologists dare to forecast the weather in Germany.

Kassel - After the weather brought us snow and ice * in many places on the Christmas holidays, temperatures are currently rising steadily.

After the temperature records on New Year's Eve *, it remained unusually mild on the night of January 1st. 

As meteorologist Stefan Rubach from the German Weather Service (DWD) said, it was "the warmest January night since the weather began to be recorded".

The temperatures remained in the double-digit range throughout the night.

The highest temperature was then measured at the Berlin-Tempelhof weather station with 11.8 degrees. 

But according to the weather experts, the short spring is coming to an end and winter is already in the starting blocks.

"The mild air is slowly beginning to lose its support," explains Adrienne Jeske, meteorologist from Wetter.net.

Over this weekend, however, spring has not yet been beaten. 

Is there an Arctic outbreak coming?

First cold snap expected in the first week of January

According to Wetter.com, a frost whip drives away the spring-like temperatures.

On Wednesday (January 5th), according to the forecasts, snow and sleet showers are to be expected in some areas.

The DWD therefore also warns of the risk of icy roads.

Last winter, a polar vortex split caused extremely cold temperatures with lots of snow.

(Symbol picture) © Matthias Bein / dpa

According to the first calculations of the European model ECMWF, there could be a cold snap from the Three Kings onwards (Thursday, January 6th).

According to the 42-day weather trend of the Wetter.de portal

There is even a risk of permafrost in northern Germany from the second half of January.

It is quite conceivable that parts of the Baltic Sea will freeze over, according to the meteorologists.

More weather news * is available on the HNA topic page.

Arctic outbreak in January: Last winter, a polar vortex split caused extremely cold temperatures

Last winter, a polar vortex split caused extremely cold temperatures with lots of snow.

This phenomenon could very soon be repeated.

According to RTL meteorologist Björn Alexander, the polar vortex is currently weakening.

If it breaks apart, polar cold air has an easy job.

“The polar vortex protects us in Central Europe from the freezing winter air in the far north.

But only if it is intact.

If the eddy is weakened or even divided, then the cold air can come from the north or the east to Germany, ”says Alexander.

Should the forecast prove to be true, temperatures in Germany could slip into permafrost as early as the turn of the year.

When there is snow, you have to expect temperatures below -10 degrees.

Should the polar vortex really break up, we could face a long and severe winter.

(Luisa Weckesser with dpa)