Milder Winter of 2024/25 Fails to Break Temperature Records

The winter season of 2024/25, characterized by mild, sunny, and dry weather, has concluded without setting any new temperature records, according to preliminary assessments from the German Weather Service (DWD). The average temperature recorded during this winter was 2.1 degrees Celsius, which is 1.9 degrees above the average temperature of the reference period from 1961 to 1990. When compared to the more recent reference period from 1991 to 2020, the increase is noted to be 0.7 degrees.

In contrast, the previous winter of 2023/24 experienced a significantly higher average temperature of 4.0 degrees Celsius, later adjusted to 4.0 degrees by the DWD from an earlier estimate of 4.1 degrees. The record for the warmest winter remains with the winter of 2006/07, which had an average temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius. Notably, the winter of 2024/25 marks the 14th consecutive mild winter, as reported by the DWD.

Precipitation levels during this winter were notably below average, with approximately 155 liters per square meter recorded, which constitutes around 86 percent of the average rainfall for the reference period from 1961 to 1990. In comparison to the more recent data from 1991 to 2020, this figure represents only about 82 percent of the expected rainfall.

On a brighter note, sunshine levels exceeded expectations, with the winter season recording 194 hours of sunshine, surpassing the average of 153 hours established during the reference period from 1961 to 1990 by 27 percent. This figure also reflects an increase of 14 percent compared to the average sunshine hours from 1991 to 2020.

For meteorological purposes, the winter is officially defined as spanning from December 1 to February 28 each year. This statistical framework necessitates that data be calculated in complete months. The astronomical arrival of spring will vary, as it is determined by the position of the sun, with this year's spring equinox occurring on March 20.