Hesse, Germany is bracing for a return of winter weather as Carnival celebrations approach, with the German Weather Service (DWD) issuing warnings for snow and icy conditions. The forecast threatens to disrupt planned festivities, including parades and Valentine’s Day outings.
The DWD in Offenbach predicts changeable weather throughout the weekend and into Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), the high point of Carnival. Temperatures on Saturday will range from 0 to 5 degrees Celsius (32 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit), falling to between -2 and 0 degrees Celsius (28 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit) in higher elevations. Rain is expected, with the possibility of snow and overcast conditions will prevail throughout the day.
The night leading into Sunday will see partly cloudy skies, with a chance of light graupel (snow pellets). Temperatures are forecast to drop to between -2 and -7 degrees Celsius (28 to 19 degrees Fahrenheit), creating potentially hazardous road conditions. Sunday itself is expected to bring a mix of sunshine and clouds, remaining dry with highs between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius (32 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit), and -3 to 0 degrees Celsius (27 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit) in the mountains.
However, the most significant weather impact is anticipated overnight into Monday. Temperatures will vary across the state, from 1 degree Celsius (34 degrees Fahrenheit) in the south to -3 degrees Celsius (27 degrees Fahrenheit) in the north, and as low as -6 degrees Celsius (21 degrees Fahrenheit) in higher altitudes. This temperature gradient, combined with intensifying snowfall arriving from the west, is expected to create widespread icy conditions. While the snowfall is predicted to diminish overnight and transition to rain in lower-lying areas, Rosenmontag itself is forecast to be gloomy with scattered showers and localized graupel storms. Temperatures on Monday will range from 2 to 6 degrees Celsius (36 to 43 degrees Fahrenheit), rising to 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit) in the south, while higher elevations will remain at freezing.
The DWD also warns of potential for icy conditions to develop on roads, particularly overnight. Meteorologist Simon Trippler of the DWD cautioned that the combination of cold temperatures and precipitation will create difficult conditions for Karneval celebrations, according to reporting from Fuldaer Zeitung. The weather service advises those attending events to be prepared for rain and potentially slippery surfaces.
Further complicating matters, the DWD notes that strong winds, with gusts up to 55 km/h (34 mph), are possible in the mountains from Saturday evening onwards, and may continue on Monday. Isolated graupel storms with strong, gusty winds up to 70 km/h (43 mph) are also possible in mountainous regions on Monday.