Chilly, damp weather to kick off Oktoberfest in Munich this weekend

By Jordan Root, AccuWeather meteorologist

September 12,2017, 10:56:57AM,EDT

 

 

Chilly and damp conditions are expected this weekend as Oktoberfest gets underway in Munich.
The 207-year-old festival will officially kickoff with opening ceremonies at noon on Saturday, 16 September. Festivalgoers planning on attending this weekend will need a jacket and will also want to pack an umbrella.
“Unseasonably chilly air will build across Germany late this week and into the weekend,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
A persistent area of low pressure over Scandinavia will spread this chill across most of Europe late in the week and through the weekend.

Afternoon temperatures are expected to be 3 to 6 C (6 to 12 F) below normal in Munich on Saturday and Sunday. Mornings will be even colder with overnight low temperatures around 6 C (43 F) this weekend.
Jackets will certainly be needed for those attending the event, especially for those who will be showing up early for the opening ceremonies on Saturday.
The cold air combined with several weak storm systems rotating through the region will bring clouds and showers to most of Germany, including Munich.
Attendees will want to keep the umbrella handy as showers will pass through at times on both days. A steady, long-duration rain is not expected, so there will be some dry time between showers.
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Any passing shower can make any grassy areas slippery and muddy, so folks will want to use extra caution.
This type of pattern is expected to linger into early next week as well, so similar conditions can be expected Monday and Tuesday.

Bavarian riflemen in traditional costumes arrive at the 'Bavaria' statue on the last day at the 183rd Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Monday, Oct. 3,2016. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

“There will not be much change with the pattern early next week across Europe as a broad trough of low pressure remains over the region,” Roys said.
Drier weather may try to build in later next week, and temperatures could start to creep back closer to normal, making for more pleasant weather for Oktoberfest.
While the first Oktoberfest was held entirely in October, the start of the festival was eventually moved back into September to take advantage of the nicer weather. Oktoberfest will run through 3 October this year.