2017 Germany spring forecast: Cold to linger in March before warmth and storms return

One of the coldest winters in recent memory will not go away without a fight across Germany this spring.

Additional rounds of below-normal temperatures are expected during the month of March.

Polar air will overspread Germany from Scandinavia and western Russia for extended periods throughout the month.

These blasts of cold air will make it feel more like typical January and February weather but it will not feel as harsh as the cold that settled over Germany much of this January.

Locations such as Hamburg, Berlin and Dresden are expected to feel the harshest cold during this time.

The prolonged cold spells will also lead to the threat for accumulating snowfall through at least the middle of March in the lower elevations and into early April across the highest terrain.

"The extended cold weather will prolong the skiing season across Germany," said Accuweather Meteorologist Tyler Roys.

"However, when warmer weather does arrive there will be an increased risk for avalanches," added Roys.

Milder air from the Mediterranean will slowly erode the cold air as April begins resulting in more opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities.

While more seasonable temperatures are expected throughout the month of April, lasting warmth is not expected until May.

The arrival of more sustained warmth will come with a price as the threat for thunderstorms will increase.

An increase in storm systems crossing northern Europe from the Atlantic Ocean will lead to an increased risk for thunderstorms.

"Areas from Frankfurt to Stuttgart and Munich will be at highest risk for strong thunderstorms with locally damaging winds and hail," said Roys.

“A few of the strongest storms could produce tornadoes,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert.

Repeated rounds of rain and thunderstorms may also result in a heightened risk for flooding from late spring into early summer.

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