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Germany Braces for Sharp Cold Snap as First Snow Signals Build for Midweek

DWD urges preparation for polar air, with experts noting divergent model signals on how far snow could reach.

Overview

  • From Monday, polar air drops temperatures nationwide, with rain turning to snow in higher hills and the Alps and widespread night frost developing.
  • DWD describes an initial, limited winter episode, while models consistently point to more substantial snowfall confined to the Alps and parts of the Mittelgebirge.
  • The strongest chance for broader wintry precipitation targets Wednesday and Thursday, when evaporative cooling could briefly lower the snowline to 200–400 meters in places.
  • Some model runs, including GFS, suggest a risk of several centimeters of wet snow in parts of western Germany such as NRW, but forecasters stress low confidence and large regional differences.
  • Coastal regions may see localized lake‑effect showers on Tuesday, and authorities advise winter tires, plant protection and close attention to updated DWD warnings due to possible glätte.