Munich, January 7 – The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued an urgent weather warning for Munich and extensive areas of Bavaria, cautioning residents about extremely cold temperatures, widespread frost, and potential heavy snowfall. The warning, which began on Monday evening, is set to continue until Wednesday morning, with similar conditions anticipated for Thursday night.
Extreme Cold Grips Bavaria: Temperatures Plummet to -17°C
The DWD’s latest update, issued late Tuesday evening, highlights persistent icy and frosty conditions across Munich. Motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution, and pedestrians are urged to dress warmly. While current warnings are expected to expire by Wednesday morning, the DWD anticipates reissuing similar alerts for Thursday night due to the ongoing cold front.
The current DWD warning map indicates a widespread Level 1 warning (yellow) for frost and ice, with darker areas showing a Level 2 warning (orange) for ‘severe frost’ in many parts of Bavaria. Temperatures in Munich could reach as low as -10°C, with alpine regions potentially experiencing bone-chilling lows of -17°C. The DWD emphasizes that this influx of polar cold air is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Snowfall Expected Across the Region, Impacting Commutes
Beyond the extreme cold, DWD meteorologists are forecasting significant snowfall. New snow is expected on Thursday, January 8, and ‘widespread’ snowfall on Friday, January 9. Munich is also likely to receive fresh snow towards the end of the week. Regions in the ‘stau of the low mountain ranges’ could even see ‘heavier snowfalls,’ according to the DWD’s weather report. Further snowfall is possible across all of Bavaria throughout the upcoming weekend.
The winter weather has already had consequences for train services. A railway provider announced numerous train cancellations due to defective heaters and engine damage, with disruptions expected to continue until Wednesday, January 7, affecting school commutes.
DWD’s Recommendations for Public Safety
The DWD has provided explicit recommendations for residents to mitigate the risks associated with the severe weather:
- Avoid prolonged outdoor stays: The risk of hypothermia is high.
- Take frost protection measures: This includes covering plants and draining water from outdoor pipes.
- Adjust driving behavior: Roads are likely to be slippery.
The warning for severe frost in Munich, which initially expired at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, has been reissued from 6:00 PM on Tuesday until 11:00 AM on Wednesday. During this period, temperatures are expected to range between -9°C and -12°C, potentially dropping to -14°C in areas with clear skies over snow.
The warning extends to other parts of Bavaria, including Tirschenreuth, Kelheim, Passau, Landsberg am Lech, Rosenheim, and Weilheim-Schongau. The DWD states that ‘the supply of polar cold air will continue for the time being,’ ensuring Bavaria remains in the grip of this cold wave.
Despite the widespread cold and snow, some areas, particularly from the Alps over the foreland to the Upper Palatinate and Bavarian Forest, will experience longer sunny periods during the day. However, the northwestern half of Bavaria will remain heavily clouded. Persistent frost, with temperatures between -7°C and -1°C, is expected across the region, with nighttime lows dropping to -6°C to -13°C.
Residents are urged to stay informed through official weather channels and adhere to safety guidelines to navigate the challenging weather conditions.
Source: [tz.de](https://www.tz.de/muenchen/stadt/muenchen-laengere-aufenthalte-im-freien-vermeiden-dwd-mit-eindringlicher-wetter-warnung-fuer-94109994.html)
