Germany spring forecast: Frequent rain to elevate flood threat and limit warmth

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

February 17,2016; 9:09PM,EST

 

 

A wet winter in western and southern Germany will continue into spring as an active storm track from the Atlantic Ocean brings frequent storms across the country.
These persistent storms will elevate the threat of flooding across southern Germany where the ground is already saturated following a wet winter.
The greatest threat of flooding will be in Baden Wuerttenberg and Bavaria where frequent rain and early spring mountain snowmelt will combine to produce high river levels and flooding.

More localized flooding is expected from Saarland into Hesse and North Rhine Westphalila with the greatest threat during March and April.
Farther south, the Alps will receive significant snowfall from the early spring storms.
"The frequent storms will also bring snow to the Alps extending the ski season across the region through at least Easter," according to Accuweather Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
While the ski season will be longer, there will be an elevated threat of avalanches as mild air from the Mediterranean Sea is pulled northward ahead of the storms.

SCARY! Avalanche roars over skiers in the French Alps

Mild air will be common throughout the spring months as storms arriving from the Atlantic Ocean keep any cold air bottled up in Scandinavia.
Even though mild air is expected, no periods of extreme warmth are expected through at least April. The frequent wet weather will result in plenty of cloudy days and also keep temperatures from soaring well above normal.
However, the weather will turn warmer with some thunderstorms by the end of spring, according to Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert.
RELATED:
Germany Weather Center
MinuteCast® for your location
Interactive Germany weather radar
The biggest temperature swings during the spring months will be found across the far north and east, including Hamburg, Berlin and Dresden.
These areas will experience brief shots of colder air that penetrate southward from Scandinavia; however, lasting cold is unlikely as storms will bring rainfall to the region during most weeks in March and April.
"While the South will see the greatest threat for flooding, spring rain in the North and East will be largely beneficial following a drier-than-normal winter," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
Late-spring warmth is expected during the second half of May which will transition into a warm and drier start to summer for most of the country.