Oktoberfest to start with 'damp and dreary' conditions in Germany this weekend

By Courtney Spamer, Meteorologist

September 14,2016; 9:13PM,EDT

After summerlike heat earlier this week, cooler and showery conditions will move through Germany for the start of Oktoberfest this weekend.
It will turn noticeably cooler on Friday with seasonable temperatures continuing throughout the weekend.
For mid-September, Munich typically has afternoon highs near 18 C (64 F). Highs on Saturday and Sunday will be around 17 C (63 F).

While the cooler air will bring in more comfortable conditions for Germany, accompanying showers could make for less-than-ideal weather for the start of much-anticipated event.
"Showery weather will engulf all of Germany on Saturday, with the steadiest rain from south of Berlin to southern Bavaria along the base of the Alps," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.

<section><h2>Are you looking forward to Oktoberfest?</h2></section><section><h2>Yes, it's my favorite part of the season!</h2></section><section><h3>No, it's not really my thing.</h3></section>

This will leave festivities in Munich with showers and generally cloudy skies.
Although there could be some more breaks of sunshine and dry weather on Sunday, intermittent showers will persist across southern Germany.
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Throughout the weekend, Oktoberfest attendees may want to be prepared with the rain gear when moving between tents and attractions.
"Rainfall amounts up to 25 mm (1 inch) are possible across Bavaria by the end of the weekend," Roys said. "The wet weather will keep it damp and dreary into Sunday."
Into early next week, there will be a chance for some showers. However, sunshine will make a comeback.
People celebrate the opening of the 182. Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, 19 September 2015. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Temperatures will remain near or slightly below normal into Monday and Tuesday in the afternoons.
Evening temperatures will dip down near 10 C (50 F), which is typical for the middle of September.
Milder evening temperatures and generally more comfortable conditions in September pushed Oktoberfest into mid-September rather than its namesake month.
On 12 October 1810, a celebration was held at the front of the city gates of Munich to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese, according to the City of Munich's website. Because the celebration was enjoyed by the citizens of the city and by the Royal Family, they decided to continue the tradition of throwing a festival year after year.
Some time later, the start of the festival was moved earlier in the year in order to take advantage of the nicer weather in late September. Oktoberfest does continue into the beginning of October, typically ending on the first weekend of the month.