Status: 11/17/2022 5:09 p.m
The first snowflakes of the season are approaching. As early as Friday morning, people in the north could be surprised. The coming days will also remain uncomfortable – above all they will bring cold. Those who have been saving energy costs so far will probably have to turn up the heating.
The good news: “It will only be a wintry episode over three or four days – short but striking,” says Josef Kantuzer from the German Weather Service (DWD) in an interview with NDR Info. “In mid-November, at the end of November, it can also be expected that winter will make itself felt.” After minus degrees at the weekend, the temperatures from Western Pomerania to Emsland will rise again in the coming week, according to the meteorologist: “In a range between three and seven degrees – so very typical for late autumn.”
Heavy gusts of wind and thunderstorms
The weather change from sunny and mild October has already begun. A storm low over the North Sea brings rain and wind. There are already warnings of severe gusts of wind for several sections of the North and Baltic Sea coasts, and a severe weather warning for Heligoland. Gusts of up to 105 kilometers per hour can occur there. The first storm damage has already occurred in Lower Saxony and on Heligoland.
Wind and low water disrupt ferry traffic
The stormy weather and low water have already disrupted ferry traffic to some East Frisian islands on the coast. Between Harlesiel and the island of Wangerooge all ferry connections were canceled today and tomorrow due to low water levels. Also to and from the islands of Langeoog and Spiekeroog departures were canceled or postponed due to the low tide that occurs when there is a strong easterly wind.
According to the DWD, Lower Saxony in particular should get some precipitation at least until this evening, but it should also rain in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. “Full autumn” is what Kantuzer calls this weather, which initially only occurs on the coasts. In any case, according to the DWD, it will be stormy on Heligoland and the North Frisian Islands. Numerous ferry connections from Amrum, Föhr, Dagebüll, Schlüttsiel, Hooge and Langeneß have already been cancelled. Other connections were moved forward or backward, and additional trips were also scheduled. Travelers are advised to visit the website of the Wyker steamboat shipping company to inform.
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Temperatures drop
This evening, the precipitation over Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein will initially subside, but cooler temperatures will move over the north. And from the second half of the night there can be the first sleet – also in Hamburg. The snow probably won’t stay in the lowlands because there’s still too much heat in the ground. “In the greater Hamburg area and in Schleswig-Holstein, a peak of only four degrees was reached on Friday afternoon, and three degrees in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania,” says Kantuzer. It stays mild the longest in Emsland. Higher altitudes, such as in the Harz Mountains, could remain covered by a thin white layer at least over the weekend.
More sun again this weekend
While it will remain gray in gray in large parts of the north on Friday, an intermediate high with sunshine will prevail over the weekend. On the Baltic Sea, however, there can also be sleet on Saturday. “That’s because of the Lake Effect,” explains Stefan Zimmer from the DWD. “When cold air moves over warmer water, there can be localized heavy rainfall.”
But the sunshine is over on Sunday: “A low spur brings snow from Lower Saxony to Hamburg,” says DWD weather expert Zimmer. But Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania don’t get any of the white water.
It will be frosty at the weekend
At the weekend, the temperatures in the entire north will hover around freezing point, especially in the Lüneburg Heath and in parts of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there could also be permafrost. For Monday night, the DWD predicts minus five degrees and less in some areas, especially for Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Wendland. “You should turn on the heating now, because frost in the house isn’t good either,” recommends Kantuzer.
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Milder again next week
Energy savers can breathe a sigh of relief: On Monday, winter will end its short interlude again, a low from the west will bring changeable weather and milder temperatures. “As far as we can see in the future, around the end of next week, the temperature level will drop back to almost ten degrees in the greater Hamburg area,” says Kantuzer. When it comes to the expected rain, the meteorologist only sees a return to normality, and the many dry periods this year cannot be compensated for.
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