Revealing Germany's Seasons

As in many parts of the world, the weather in Germany has become less predictable than in the past. Overall, Germany has a predominantly mild, temperate climate. Average summer temperatures range from 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The average winter temperature hovers around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, bear in mind that the climate is constantly affected by colliding continental and maritime air masses from the Baltic and North seas, resulting in plenty of unpredictable weather, especially in the north.

If your trip includes northern Germany, consider visiting in April and May, the months that are least cloudy. Even with clear skies, though, the weather up north can remain, shall we say, invigorating. In the interior of Germany, the least-gray months usually are June and September.

Blossoming in spring

Spring comes earliest in the south and in the Rhine Valley. The Föhn, a dry south wind from the Alps, heralds the approach of spring around the giant Bodensee (Lake Constance) and in the river valleys of the Black Forest and throughout southwestern Germany.

The springtime sun coaxes out the new vines in wine country, blossoms appear on the fruit trees grown around the Bodensee and the Rhine, and the carefully tended parks all around Germany show their first flowers. May and June is Spargel (white asparagus) season throughout Germany; you find asparagus specialties on menus everywhere. But cold, rainy weather can last well into early summer in Berlin and other northern cities, and the snow in the Alps usually melts by April, leaving the region soggy and foggy.

Shining (and raining) in summer

From April through September, you can generally count on warm, mild weather in southern Germany. However, around Cologne and even as far north as Berlin, mid- and late-summer days can become hot, humid, and thundery. Summer weather in the Bavarian Alps is extremely variable. Summer in the north comes later and remains variable because of maritime influences from the North and Baltic seas.

Glowing in autumn

Fall is one of the best times to visit Germany. Autumn days are beautiful in Bavaria, making this a perfect time to explore the Romantic Road. The deciduous trees in the Black and Thuringian forests and along the Rhine, Neckar, and other river valleys turn golden as the days grow shorter. In southern and western Germany, after the grape harvest, vines turn yellow. Indian summer, or what the Germans call Altweibersommer (old women's summer), frequently makes a welcome appearance during October and November. In the north, autumn is likely to be rainy and blustery, heralding gray, wet winters.

Autumn is also the time when giant beer festivals transform Munich and Stuttgart, and the smell of new wine fills the old streets of winegrowing towns. Towns in winegrowing areas celebrate with wine festivals. The only real drawback to a German autumn: it may be gray and rainy, especially in the north.

Welcoming winter

Snow can fall anywhere in Germany, lending a special air to the country's many Christmas markets. But with winter temperatures hovering right around freezing, snow doesn't stay on the ground for long, and often turns into sleet. This story is different in the Bavarian Alps and the Black Forest, where the winter weather is colder and snow adds to the beauty of the mountain and forest landscapes. Both the Alps and the Black Forest are known for their fine skiing and winter sports.

In December, cities throughout the country set up magical outdoor Christmas markets where you find tree ornaments, handcrafted goods, and baked delights.