Severe Winter Weather and Polar Air Cause Chaos Across Germany at Year-End 2025

As 2025 closes, Germany is grappling with severe winter weather marked by icy conditions, heavy snow, and strong winds. A polar air front is sweeping across the country, bringing significant snowfall, especially to higher elevations such as the Alps, Erzgebirge, Black Forest, and parts of Thuringia and Saxony. The German Weather Service forecasts snow accumulations up to 20 centimeters in these mountainous regions, with temperatures plunging below freezing — dropping as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius in the south and even into double-digit negatives at the highest altitudes.

The night of New Year's Eve is expected to be particularly cold and blustery, with strong winds compounding the discomfort and hazardous conditions. Although these icy conditions might not match the severity of recent days, they still pose considerable challenges.

Winter storm Hannes has exacerbated the situation, especially in northern and central Germany, leading to widespread disruptions. Thousands of households have lost power amid gusty winds, while many roads and highways became treacherous due to freezing drizzle and slippery surfaces. In Berlin and Brandenburg, hospitals dealt with over 200 injuries related to traffic accidents caused by icy roads, with some medical facilities stretched to critical capacity.

The Christmas period saw the coldest temperatures recorded in Germany in 15 years, including an extreme low of minus 12.1 degrees Celsius in Sachsen-Anhalt. The storm's impact extended beyond Germany, with Scandinavia experiencing similar chaotic weather; in Sweden, three people died after being struck by fallen trees during the storm. Neighboring Poland also faced severe winds that triggered flooding warnings along the Baltic coast and relentless firefighting operations due to uprooted trees.

This combination of polar air influx, significant snowfall in the mountains, icy road conditions, and powerful winds from storm Hannes presents dangerous conditions across Germany as the country heads into 2026, necessitating ongoing vigilance and caution for residents and authorities alike.