Weather Service: January in Germany partly as snowy as it hasn't been since 2010 - Germany's January 2023: Record Snow, Ice Storms, and Unusual Sunshine

Germany faced a January of extremes in 2023, with heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and unusually sunny spells. While some regions battled the heaviest snow in over a decade, others enjoyed record sunshine hours and far drier conditions than usual.

Winter storm Elli struck northern Germany with particular force, bringing repeated freezing rain and heavy snow. The hazardous mix created black ice, severely disrupting rail services and leading to several fatalities. Hamburg and Lower Saxony recorded their snowiest January since 2010, with parts of northwestern Germany seeing the heaviest snowfall in over 15 years.

Despite the storms, January remained relatively dry overall. Nationwide precipitation averaged just 45 litres per square metre—25 percent below the long-term norm. Eastern regions were especially dry, with some areas receiving as little as 25 litres of rain or snow.

Sunshine also stood out, with total hours reaching 67 across the country—over 50 percent above average. Southern Germany saw the brightest conditions, with certain areas logging more than 100 hours of sun. Meanwhile, average temperatures hovered around -0.7°C, staying within typical winter fluctuations.

The month's contrasting conditions left a mark: heavy snow and ice caused travel chaos in the north, while southern regions basked in extended sunshine. With precipitation well below normal, the dry spell added to the month's unusual weather patterns.