Oktoberfest 2018 outlook: Warm, dry weather to greet festivalgoers for the opening week
The 2018 edition of Oktoberfest is set to take place in Munich, Germany, from 22 September to 7 October.
Opening day festivals will begin at 10 a.m., local time, with the tapping of the first keg at noon by the mayor of Munich, according to the official Oktoberfest website.
Oktoberfest dates back to 1810 and started as a celebration of the wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig and Teresa of Sassonia-Hildburghausen.
In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, young people celebrate the opening of the 184th Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
The celebration was such a hit that another occurred around the same time the following year, and the tradition has continued almost every year since.
With an estimated 7.7 million liters of beer served in 2015 and an annual visitor count around 7 million, Oktoberfest is the largest, most celebrated folk festival for brewing in the world.
Oktoberfest activities have grown over the years, spreading the festival earlier into September. This was done to provide better weather for the visitors and allow them to enjoy typically milder nights.
Overall drier-than-normal conditions are expected across southern Germany, including Munich, during first week of the festival.
This will provide ample opportunities to enjoy the festival which includes parades, bands, traditional bavarian food and drink and carnival rides for both adults and children.
Anyone planning to attend Oktoberfest during this time will want to be prepared with sun cream and make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
A drinking Lion, the mascot of 'Loewenbrauerei' brewery sits on the roof top while people enjoy the last night at the 184th Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Temperatures are forecast to be near to above normal during the first week of Oktoberfest, providing comfortable daytime conditions and allowing visitors to enjoy activities well after sunset.
Normal high temperatures in Munich during late September range from 17-19 C (63-66 F) while the normal overnight temperature falls to 8-9 C (47-49 F).
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A change to more unsettled weather is possible for the final week of activities; however, several dry days are still expected.
Visitors will want to be prepared by packing rain gear and planning for outdoor activities to potentially be affected.
“There will be a risk for thunderstorms on a few days,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
“Remember that when thunder roars, always go indoors,” added Roys.
Temperatures will trend lower in the final days of Oktoberfest, so jackets may be needed both during the day and at night.
Check back to AccuWeather.com for more updates on the weather for Oktoberfest.
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