DWD Warns of Severe Black Ice and Freezing Conditions in Southern Germany Overnight

The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) has issued warnings for hazardous black ice and freezing rain in southern Germany overnight Friday into Saturday, raising significant road safety concerns. Cold air persisting in the south and southeast has led to black ice already being reported across regions including the Black Forest, Franconia, and the Bavarian Forest, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 7 degrees Celsius and nearing minus 10 degrees Celsius in the Alps.

DWD meteorologist Marco Manitta emphasized the elevated risk of icy roads in the Upper Palatinate, Lower Bavaria, and eastern Upper Bavaria, with freezing rain and frost expected to continue through the night, especially in eastern mountainous and Bavarian areas. The weather is forecast to improve Saturday with rising temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius, lowering the slipperiness on roads.

Visibility in the south has been severely reduced by dense fog with visibility down to under 150 meters, while strong gusty winds continue along mountain ranges and the North Sea coast. The combination of freezing rain, frost, fog, and occasional snow contributes to a precarious travel environment.

On Sunday, a contrasting weather pattern is expected with rain forecast in western Germany and sunshine in the east. Temperatures will vary from around one degree Celsius in eastern Bavaria to eleven degrees along the Rhine.

The DWD urges caution for motorists and pedestrians in affected regions given the ongoing freeze-thaw conditions and complex weather mix causing slippery surfaces and reduced visibility.