Despite the threat of fresh snow: Spring breakthrough in Germany is approaching

After the very mild weekend with almost 20 degrees, there is a threat of cooling again. It could even snow again in the Alps and low mountain ranges. In the long term, however, spring is already on the way - with wet weather and mild temperatures.

ntv.de: Carnival is just around the corner. For some of us it's the best time of the year, others traditionally head to the ski resorts. What can ski fans expect in terms of snow?

Björn Alexander: Due to the relatively low rainfall in the Alps in January and February, the snow cover in many ski areas is unfortunately quite below average. However, this does not mean that skiing fun has to be cancelled this year. Things are still looking pretty good, particularly in the higher regions and where artificial snow is used. This is even true in the low mountain ranges, where Mother Nature was able to help with artificial snow, such as in the Sauerland. It is also getting colder again, so fresh snow will follow.

Does winter want to know again?

At least the very mild air that brought us peaks of 19 degrees last weekend, the warmest period of the year so far, is now being pushed aside and we are sailing in more normal waters again.

What does that mean exactly?

Under the influence of low pressure, peak temperatures will initially only reach 4 to around 10 degrees, and as the weather calms down over the weekend, frost will even return at night.

How much snow will fall?

Depending on the weather model and up to and including Friday, the low mountain ranges could see 10 to 20 centimetres of fresh snow. The Alps could also see more than 20 centimetres.

Are there flakes again in the lower elevations?

Some weather computers speculate on this. However, the amounts will be very manageable, similar to the regions affected.

What else can we expect from the weather in Germany?

After low pressure "Paul", it is now the turn of low pressure "Quincy" and "Rainer" - with correspondingly changeable to wet forecasts. This may be annoying, but it is certainly relevant in view of the dry February. After all, we are heading towards a thirsty spring and so the soil and groundwater need even more of a foundation for the vegetation, which will increasingly start to flower in the course of March.

Where will the most fall?

The majority of calculations currently focus on a broad strip from the southwest and west of our country to the northeast. Here, forecasts for the end of the month are generally between 15 and 35 liters per square meter. In some cases, 40 to 50 liters or even more are conceivable. When you consider that the average February in Germany brings around 50 liters per square meter, this is quite a considerable amount.

What do the weather maps tell us in detail for the next few days?

Wednesday will be changeable with showers turning into snow, particularly in the Black Forest and Alps. Later, however, it will become increasingly sunny and dry in the west, while the south and southeast will remain cloudy and wet. All of this with a maximum of 5 to 11 degrees.

And on Thursday?

After a partly frosty and correspondingly slippery night, the weather on Women's Carnival will be mixed again. The details are still uncertain, but as things stand, the east is starting off pleasantly. Meanwhile, clouds with rain are again on the way in the west and north, which will move eastwards during the day. In this respect, the carnival strongholds in the west can hope for more sun later - along with isolated showers. Temperatures will also reach 4 to 11 degrees.

What prospects does Friday bring us?

The weather is still unstable, with snow in the mountains. The best sunshine is expected in the west and southwest. Temperatures will reach a maximum of 3 to 10 degrees.

What can we expect this weekend?

A high pressure system is once again making its mark on our weather from the west. This means that the western half of the country will continue to have the advantage of sunshine. The east, however, can expect more clouds. It can also be frosty at night. During the day it will be a little milder with 3 to 11 degrees on Saturday and 4 to 12 degrees on Sunday.

Will the trend towards slight warming continue next week?

At the moment it looks like this. This means that by Wednesday it will mostly be back in the double-digit range. Peaks of around 15 degrees cannot be ruled out in the west. Especially since the forecasts are based on a continuation of the high pressure influence and thus on dry and partly sunny prospects.

The starting signal for the breakthrough of spring? The chances are good overall. This applies on the one hand to the classic weather models, which on the one hand also embed cooler periods in the further March trend. On the other hand, there are also approaches that offer us temperatures towards the 20 degree mark for the second weekend in March. The mild to warm variants are also supported by the experimental long-term forecast, which rates March as above-average warm and quite dry overall. In other words: There is currently a lot of evidence to suggest that the mild weather conditions, repeatedly dominated by high pressure areas, will continue. Even if a relapse to the so-called March winter cannot unfortunately be ruled out.