From one extreme to the other: after an Arctic front brought a bitterly cold start to December in Germany, the month looks to be heading towards an unseasonably mild end. Temperatures of up to 20 degrees have been forecast for New Year’s Eve. 

New Year’s Eve in Germany to see temperatures up to 20 degrees

2022 is going to end with some spectacularly mild weather in Germany, according to the latest forecast from the German Weather Service (DWD). After the Christmas holidays proved wet and dreary, with a few isolated snow showers, the end of the year is going to be “unusually warm” in many parts of the country. 

According to meteorologists, southern Germany in particular is set to experience a balmy New Year’s Eve, although parts of western Germany and elsewhere will also see highs of anywhere between 11 and 20 degrees celsius. 

Warm and dry in southern Germany, warm and wet elsewhere

In the south, those warm temperatures are likely to be accompanied by dry and sunny conditions - making the day more appropriate for barbecuing in the park or even swimming outdoors, rather than the thick coats and Feuerzangenbowle that are more typical for this time of year. In the northern, central and western parts of the country, unfortunately, it’s going to be mild and wet, with plenty of rain forecast for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. 

“This could set a new record for the turn of the year and is far more reminiscent of spring than of winter,” the DWD said. “Where exactly the rain will start is still unclear,” meteorologist Jürgen Schmidt told RND. “But on the coasts and in the North German Plain, the turn of the year could be wet.”