Anticipated Spring Weather Scenario in Germany 2025
Spring of 2025 Across Germany Marked by Unusual Climate Conditions
Offenbach, Germany - Preliminary findings from the German Weather Service (DWD) indicate that spring of 2025 was one of the warmest and driest seasons since records began in 1881. The outlier weather patterns were characterized by uncommonly high temperatures, minimal rainfall, and prolonged sunshine.
The average temperature in spring 2025 was 9.8 degrees Celsius, a significant deviation from the long-term average of 7.7 degrees for the reference period 1961-1990. Compared to the current comparison period 1991-2020, there was a noticeable increase of 0.7 degrees. This continuing long-term warming trend stretched into the spring season, with April ending as the seventh warmest on record and bringing unusually early summer heat.
The first summer day of the year, registering temperatures of 25.0 degrees Celsius or higher, was recorded as early as April 12 in the Upper Rhine, Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Saarland. Notably, the first hot day, defined as temperatures of 30.0 degrees Celsius or more, was reached on May 2 in Waghaeusel-Kirrlach in the Upper Rhine Graben, with even higher temperatures expected around 31 degrees on May 31. Conversely, the coldest minimum temperature was recorded in Deutschneudorf-Bruederwiese in the Erzgebirge with -11.2 degrees Celsius on March 18. Freezing temperatures persisted in the eastern foothills of the mountains and the northeast, recurring in May.
Rainfall in spring 2025 fell far short of the long-term average. Nationwide, only approximately 96 liters per square meter (l/m2) were recorded, which is about 48% less than the average for the reference period 1961-1990 (186 l/m2). This deficit increased to around 44% in comparison to the newer comparison period 1991-2020 (171 l/m2). As a result, 2025 stands among the three driest springs since weather recordings began. The deficit in precipitation was most prominent in the northeast, where many places recorded only around 40 l/m2. In contrast, some regions in the foothills of the Alps saw more than 300 l/m2 of rainfall.
A standout aspect of the spring of 2025 was the increased duration of sunshine, with around 695 hours recorded. This increase of approximately 49% compared to the target of 467 hours (period 1961-1990) and a 33% increase relative to the current comparison period 1991-2020, made for the third sunniest spring since 1951. The North Sea region showed the highest sunlight exposure, with peak values of up to 775 hours, while the Alps saw a significantly lower amount.
In Saxony-Anhalt, the average spring temperature in 2025 was 9.8 degrees Celsius, significantly higher than the long-term climate value of 8.1 degrees Celsius. The warm April brought the first summer day of the year on the 16th, with temperatures reaching above 25 degrees. However, the spring was also marked by significant drought, with little to no rainfall for large parts of March and the first half of April. By the end of the season, it is expected that only around 86 l/m2 of rainfall would have been recorded, falling well short of the climatic target of 135 l/m2. Preliminary calculations suggest a potential record for sunshine duration in the eastern central region, with around 720 hours (468 hours) recorded.
Other regions in Germany experienced similar climate conditions during the spring of 2025. The weather-forecasting agencies predicted above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall, aligning with the patterns observed across the country.
