Weather Service: January in Germany partly as snowy as it hasn't been since 2010 - Germany's January brought record snow, deadly ice, and rare sunshine

Germany experienced a January of stark contrasts, with heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and unusually high sunshine. The month brought some of the heaviest snow in years, alongside prolonged sunny spells and dangerous icy conditions. The German Weather Service (DWD) has now released its full report on the extreme weather patterns observed nationwide.

The month began with winter storm Elli sweeping across the country, hitting northern regions particularly hard. Hamburg and Lower Saxony recorded their snowiest January since 2010, with parts of northwestern Germany seeing the heaviest snowfall in over 15 years.

Freezing rain followed the storm, creating widespread black ice that severely disrupted rail services. Repeated winter weather after Elli led to further hazards, including several fatalities reported across affected areas.

Despite the snow and ice, January was unusually sunny. Total sunshine reached 67 hours nationwide—over 50 percent above the long-term average. Southern Germany saw the most sun, with some regions recording over 100 hours.

Precipitation remained low overall, averaging just 45 litres per square metre. This was 25 percent below the usual January levels. Eastern Germany was particularly dry, with some areas receiving as little as 25 litres of rain or snow. Meanwhile, the average temperature of -0.7°C stayed within the normal range for this time of year.

The DWD's report highlights January's mix of extreme snow, prolonged sunshine, and hazardous ice. While some regions faced record snowfall, others enjoyed unusually dry and bright conditions. The month's weather patterns caused significant disruptions, particularly in transport, alongside rare sunny spells.