Overview
- DWD and police issued icy-weather alerts for multiple states, with Saxony expecting up to 4 cm of snow in lowlands and 4–8 cm above 500 meters by evening.
- Strong winds are forecast, including storm-force gusts in exposed areas, with around 80 km/h predicted on Fichtelberg and further strengthening on Thursday.
- Severe cold is being recorded in parts of the southwest, including −13.4 °C in Rottweil, while NRW faces subzero feel-like temperatures around midnight and a risk of ice.
- Road and public-safety agencies urge caution for New Year’s celebrations, as ADAC Sachsen advises leaving cars at home or parking in protected locations and the DWD flags wind-related fireworks hazards.
- Model guidance and regional forecasts indicate a developing risk of locally heavy snowfall into the weekend—potentially over 20 cm near the Czech border and 10–20 cm in parts of Franconia—raising concerns about travel disruption and pressure on emergency services.