Wind and cold cause a felt temperature of -22 degrees - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania shivers through its coldest week of winter
A bitter cold snap has gripped Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania this week, bringing the lowest temperatures of the winter so far. Early morning wind chills plunged to minus 22°C (–8°F), while daytime readings hovered around minus 20°C (–4°F). Despite the freeze, the current conditions remain far milder than the region's historic lows.
Monday marked the coldest day of the season, with thermometers dipping between minus 10 and minus 7°C (14 to 19°F) across the state. Eastern Vorpommern recorded the week's lowest reading at minus 14°C (7°F), though this falls short of past extremes—such as the 2012 deep freeze when Ueckermünde hit minus 28.7°C (–19.7°F). Recent data from February 2026 shows towns like Greifswald and Anklam experiencing lows of minus 10 to minus 12.7°C, with forecasts predicting brief drops to minus 15°C.
The icy conditions have disrupted transport, forcing ferry services to Hiddensee to halt. An icebreaker now operates only for emergencies, stranding regular passengers. While the cold has been severe, it remains less extreme than historical records, including Germany's all-time low of minus 37.8°C (–36°F) set in Wolnzach in 1929.
Meteorologists expect a gradual thaw by next weekend, with temperatures climbing toward freezing or slightly above. This week's frost, though notable, has been shorter and less intense than previous cold waves.
Ferry disruptions and biting winds have marked this week's cold spell, but relief is on the way. By the weekend, temperatures should rise above freezing, easing the freeze. The current conditions, while harsh, still rank as milder compared to the region's most extreme winters on record.
