After February, which was also the warmest since measurements began in 1881, March also brought Germany a temperature record. At 7.5 degrees, the average March temperature in 2024 was four degrees above the value of the internationally valid reference period from 1961 to 1990. This was the result of an initial evaluation by the German Weather Service (DWD). Compared to the current and warmer comparison period from 1991 to 2020, the deviation was 2.9 degrees.
Cottbus in Brandenburg and Klitzschen near Torgau in northern Saxony reported a high of 24.9 degrees on March 30. This means that the two places in eastern Germany are nationwide temperature peaks in March. The coldest it was on March 19th was minus 7.3 degrees in Hoyerswerda, Saxony.
Compared to the period 1961 to 1990, the sunshine duration in March was 120 hours, exceeding the target of 111 hours. Compared to 1991 to 2020, when it seemed 127 hours, it was slightly less. The sun appeared most often in the capital Berlin in March. A total of 158 hours of sunshine were measured there.
The sun shone least over North Rhine-Westphalia. She was only there for a total of 98 hours.
Overall, according to the weather service, there was significantly too little rain in March. Around 46 liters per square meter were registered, which is only around 80 percent of the reference periods from 1961 to 1990 and from 1991 to 2020 (with 57 liters each). It was particularly dry in the lee of the eastern low mountain ranges and Western Pomerania. In some places the DWD measured less than 10 liters per square meter. The highest daily amount came on March 12th at the Baiersbronn-Ruhestein station in the Black Forest with 57.8 liters.
On Thursday, the DWD expects numerous heavy showers and especially thunderstorms. “And these thunderstorms are quite something for the time of year,” said Dietzsch. It will also be windy with squalls or heavy squalls. Heavy rain and sleet are also possible. South of the Danube, things will initially remain friendly for a longer period of time. The maximum values are between 11 and 19 degrees. On Friday night it will remain cloudy with some rain and isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures drop to 11 to 4 degrees.
The DWD also predicted a lot of clouds for Friday, and it will rain more often from Emsland and North Rhine-Westphalia to the Baltic Sea and the Oder. Otherwise it will be clear to cloudy, also sunny in the south, and dry. In the north the maximum temperatures are between 15 and 20 degrees, otherwise between 19 and 26 degrees, with the highest temperatures being reached in the Upper Rhine. On Saturday night it will rain again in the north with lots of clouds, while in the south it will clear up and stay dry. Temperatures drop to 11 to 4 degrees in the southern half and near the coast, otherwise to 15 to 10 degrees.
“The next highlight awaits us on Saturday,” said Dietzsch. The temperatures suddenly rise to summer levels: “Summer days with temperatures of over 25 degrees are on the horizon.” On the Upper Rhine the temperature could even reach almost 30 degrees. In addition, a large amount of Sahara dust is once again reaching Germany. “It currently looks as if the peak will be reached on Sunday,” explained Dietzsch. The resulting cloudiness of the sky would result in a significant drop in temperatures, so the first thing to do is: “Wait and see.” This first summer episode is expected to last until around the middle of next week.
The interactive map below shows where there is currently lightning, thunder and rain. The forecast for a later date can also be accessed using the timeline at the bottom of the graphic. To do this, click the play button. At the top right, the level displayed can also be changed to, for example, thunderstorms, rain or snow. A view with severe weather warnings is also possible. You can move the crop and zoom in or out as you wish.
If the graphic is not displayed, please click here.
The service is provided by Windy.com. The makers use the model from the “European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts” for their representations and forecasts.
The map above shows where the strongest gusts are expected today. The view is updated regularly. Clicking on the map leads to the wetter.de portal, which, like stern, belongs to RTL Deutschland.
Watch the video above: The weather is going crazy in northern California: up to two meters of snow remained on the streets. When a reporter on site reported on the masses of snow, she was involuntarily involved in a snowball fight by children.
Sources: German Weather Service, DPA
