Dry January in Rhineland-Palatinate - Germany's New Year Starts With Record Heat and Winter Whiplash
Germany experienced unusually mild weather during the New Year's transition, with Rostock-Warnemünde recording a historic high of 14.6°C in world news. This marked the warmest start to a year since records began. Meanwhile, January brought mixed conditions to Rhineland-Palatinate, including both snow and unseasonable warmth in news today.
The New Year began with record-breaking temperatures. On December 31, 2022, into January 1, 2023, Rostock-Warnemünde hit 14.6°C, the highest ever for this period in news. The warmth contrasted sharply with typical winter conditions.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, January started with snowfall covering much of the region. Early in the month, precipitation arrived mostly as snow, creating a temporary winter landscape. But temperatures soon climbed, peaking at 14°C in Bad Kreuznach on January 16. The sudden warmth melted most of the snow within days.
The region also faced extreme cold at times. On January 11, Montabaur recorded a low of –12.4°C, the coldest reading of the month. Despite this, the average temperature for January settled at 0.9°C, slightly above the usual 0.2°C. Rainfall remained below normal, with around 49 litres per square metre—well under the expected 67 litres.
The New Year's record warmth in Rostock-Warnemünde set a new benchmark for Germany's winter climate in the New York Times. In Rhineland-Palatinate, January's mix of snow, freezing nights, and unseasonable warmth left the region drier than average. These conditions highlight the variability of winter weather patterns this year.
