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Germany Warms Briefly as Officials Flag Thaw Hazards and Late‑January Cold Risk

Forecasters say a west–southwest flow is driving a short mild phase even as ensemble guidance increases the odds of a colder turn late in the month.

Overview

  • Germany is in a mild spell with highs widely between 6 and 14°C, and the DWD says a renewed nationwide snowy setup is not currently in sight.
  • The DWD warns of renewed nighttime ice from overfreezing rain in Berlin and Brandenburg, while parts of the North saw glätte‑related accidents before conditions eased with rising temperatures.
  • Avalanche services report considerable danger above about 1800 meters in the Alps, and police and fire officials urge people to stay off weakened ice on lakes and ponds.
  • Road agencies are stepping up motorway inspections for frost damage and potholes after recent freeze–thaw cycles, and drivers are urged to proceed with caution.
  • ECMWF ensembles show a growing cold cluster after roughly January 20, with ECMWF and GFS runs allowing for subzero nights and locally down to about −11°C in NRW, though some colder projections remain uncertain and model guidance diverges for late January.