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Early Polar Vortex Disruption Raises Cold Risk as Germany Faces Frost, Ice and New Snow

A potential early stratospheric warming would increase the chance of prolonged easterly cold into December.

Overview

  • Germany enters the weekend with widespread DWD warnings for frost and slick roads, with a sunny but cold Saturday followed by Sunday snow and freezing rain, especially in the south.
  • Temperatures drop sharply overnight, with many areas near or below minus 10 degrees and local lows near minus 15 degrees reported in Alpine and valley locations.
  • Stratospheric forecasts indicate an unusually early weakening of the polar vortex that could evolve into a sudden stratospheric warming, a rare November event that the DWD says raises the odds of colder easterly regimes for Central Europe.
  • Forecasters say a low-pressure system (Talat) brings new snowfall and glatteis risk on Sunday, and model guidance points to a midweek snow episode in southern and southeastern Germany with 10 to 20 centimeters possible.
  • Hazardous travel is already being reported, including a serious crash near Isny in Baden-Württemberg, and authorities urge drivers to slow down and monitor updates.