The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a level-two weather warning for snow across northern Germany in the coming days, while rain is expected in the south.

Snow and rain warning issued across Germany

A level-two, orange weather warning is in place across parts of Germany as snow and rain are expected on Thursday and frost is forecast for throughout the weekend.

“It is relatively certain that it will snow down to low altitudes,” said DWD meteorologist Julia Tuschy. The snow warning has been issued for the regions around Wuppertal, Brillon, Kassel, Siegen and Giessen in Hesse, as a polar air mass is expected in the northern half of the country.

A strip along the Rhineland to Hanover and the Altmark region of Saxony-Anhalt to northern Brandenburg is expecting the most significant snowfall.

Meanwhile, a subtropical air mass and highs of 14 degrees celsius is expected in the south. Rain and wind warnings have been issued for the North Sea and Baltic coastlines, the Black Forest region east of Freiburg, Oberstdof and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in southern Bavaria.

Snow and rain may cause travel disruption

With between five and 10 centimetres of snow expected within three to six hours over Thursday morning in the Rhineland, East Westphalia and Hanover regions, disruptions to transport should be considered. 

As Thursday goes on, snowfall will ease across the regions. But up in Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt, snowfall is expected to increase throughout the day. Drivers and commuters should prepare for black ice and heavy snow to disrupt local roads and train services.

While most of the snow will have fallen by Friday, cold temperatures are expected to persist into the weekend. Frost and highs of between 1 and 5 degrees have been forecast. Wrap up!

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