Germany: ’Beast from the East’ set to strike back this weekend

A spell of unseasonable warmth in Germany will be replaced by arctic cold through Sunday as the “Beast from the East” returns.

Many locations, including Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt, recorded their highest temperatures since October during the recent mild spell with temperatures near or above 15 C (59 F).

However, cold conditions will continue as arctic air will make it feel more like the middle of winter.

High pressure sitting over Scandinavia will pull very cold air from Siberia westward across Europe in an event coined the “Beast from the East.”

A similar event occurred at the end of February and early March this year and caused temperatures 5-10 degrees Celsius (9-18 degrees Fahrenheit) below normal for five to seven days.

This cold outbreak is expected to be short-lived, as the core of the cold air will only be over Germany during the weekend before shifting south and west early next week. This will allow temperatures to climb back to normal by Tuesday.

Despite the shorter duration, the upcoming arctic blast will again send temperatures well below normal with daytime highs 7-10 C (12-18 F) below normal.

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Most of the country will have high temperatures of minus 3 to 2 C (27 to 36 F) on Sunday.

Disruptive snowfall is expected as the arctic blast settles in.

While central and northern areas dry out on Sunday, southern Germany will have its turn with wintry weather.

Areas from Baden-Wurttemberg through southern Bavaria can expect 2-8 cm (1-3 inches) of snow creating slippery spots and slow travel.

Snow can bring a fresh coating to areas as far north as Frankfurt and Nuremberg on Sunday.

Drier weather will prevail across the entire country on Monday as the chill begins to ease.

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