From Frost to Spring - A February of Weather Extremes - February's wild weather swings bring freezing cold then unusual warmth to northern Germany
February brought a mix of bitter cold and unexpected warmth to Bremen and Lower Saxony. While icy spells dominated much of the month, temperatures ended higher than usual. Both regions also saw more rain and far less sunshine than average.
The month began with two sharp cold snaps that gripped the regions in early and mid-February. In Bremen, the mercury plunged to –9.5°C on February 15, while Lower Saxony recorded its lowest temperature of –15.0°C in Lüchow (Wendland) four days later.
Despite the freezing start, a noticeable warming trend arrived in the final week. By the end of February, temperatures climbed to around 16°C in both areas.
Rainfall also exceeded expectations. Bremen received roughly 50 litres per square metre—about 25% above the long-term average. Lower Saxony saw even more, with around 55 litres per square metre. Sunshine, however, was in short supply: Bremen logged just 40 hours, well below the typical 68.
Overall, average temperatures for the month stayed slightly above normal. Bremen's mean of 2.0°C was marginally higher than the usual 1.4°C, while Lower Saxony averaged 2.1°C, compared to its typical 1.1°C.
The month's weather swung from freezing lows to mild highs, with above-average rainfall and limited sunshine. No reports have linked these conditions to specific impacts on local agriculture, including fruit and vegetable crops. Both regions closed February with temperatures trending warmer than usual.
