Germany: Howling Winds and Rain to Precede Arrival of Coldest Air Since February
The mild autumn weather that has dominated Germany since late October will be coming to an end later this week as the coldest air since February arrives and also brings the threat for some wintry precipitation with it.
Prior to the arrival of this cold air, a series of fast-moving storm systems will bring rounds of strong winds and rain from Wednesday to Friday.
Locally damaging winds linger across western Germany early Wednesday, with wind gusts over 80 km/h (50 mph). Locations such as Cologne, Dusseldorf, Munster and Hamburg are at risk for these powerful winds. Elsewhere across the country, peak wind gusts over 65 km/h (40 mph) are possible through Wednesday morning.
These winds can result in power outages, travel delays and tree damage across the region.
Following the strong winds of Tuesday night, winds diminish during the day on Wednesday; however, another storm will quickly approach bringing winds of 50-65 km/h (30-40 mph) to all of Germany Wednesday night. The strongest winds will again be across the northern half of the country.
Accompanying these winds will be numerous showers in the northern third of the country while areas farther south will get only brief showers Wednesday night. A prolonged period of steady to at times heavy rain will then spread over the southern half of Germany Thursday night and Friday. Rainfall will total 25-50 mm (1-2 inches).
Northern Germany, including Berlin, will dodge the heavy rain; however, there will be occasional showers on Thursday and Friday.
Behind this storm, the coldest air since February will build over the country this weekend and linger into early next week.
Along with this cold air, showers will be scattered across the entire country on Saturday and Sunday. From Saturday night through Sunday night, these showers can be mixed with snow in the lower elevations with little or no accumulation.