I left a sweltering Berlin for an almost as hot Washington State. People always think of Seattle as rainy, but on the day my family arrived back in our home state it was over 80 degrees F (27 degree C) and clear skies meant the “mountain was out” as the locals say. After a slow start in Germany, it seems summer is truly upon us no matter where we go.

On any visit back to the USA, people have a lot of questions about life in Germany and weather is always a popular area of conversation. Currently, I am on the east of my state which is considerably warmer and drier than the more well-known coastal side. Temperatures in summer are regularly 90-100 degrees F (32 – 37 degree C) but it can be hard to describe how it actually feels hotter in Berlin. Berlin summers are heavy with humidity (the hard to pronounce German word “schwül“) and the lack of air conditioning means there are few places to escape.

If you are planning a visit to Germany or preparing for a move, I composed this blog to give an idea of the weather in Germany and what you can expect in any season. Like many places, it is best to be prepared for anything. As the Germans say, “Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung”  (“There is no bad weather, just bad clothing”).

Lindau – Kayak sunset

Weather in Germany 

There are four distinct seasons throughout Germany with warm summers (Sommer) featuring periods of more extreme heat and thunderstorms, cold winters (Winter) with occasional to frequent snow (depending on where you are), unpredictable rainy spring (Frühling), and fall (Herbst) is when temperatures start to drop. The country is in a temperate climate zone with humid westerly winds.

Be sure to do as the Germans do and eat seasonally with our guide on What to Eat for Every Season in Germany.

Spring in Germany 

Frühling is usually a beautiful season, but it may take its time getting there. March can still bring snow and April is unpredictable with another German saying beautifully summing it up, “April April, er weiß nicht was er will” (“April, April, he doesn’t know what he wants”). It may rain, sleet, and offer bright sunshine all in an hour.

In general, temperatures are from mid 40s F (4 degrees C) to high 60s (15 degrees C). Highlights include the month of May which is when warm weather reliably arrives and is filled with festivals. Spring festivals mark an awakening in towns and cities like Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest (Stuttgart Spring Festival). Cherry blossoms burst out in pink blossoms in many German cities for a brief 2-weeks of glory that can occur from end of March to early May.

Summer in Germany 

Sommer is eagerly awaited by most German residents and is seen as the reward for enduring the long winter. Summer can be slow to arrive for its impatient citizens, but when it does it may be with a bang. Most of the time temperatures hover around mid 70s (23 degrees C), but some days can top 100 degrees (37 degree C).  With little access to air conditioning these hot days call for people to escape to the lakes and eat loads of Eis (ice cream).

It is warmest in the south of Germany in the Palatinate (southwest) wine region with a Mediterranean climate. There are even exotic fruits like figs, lemons, and kiwis that grow here. In many areas the heat paired with precipitation means there can be impressive storms (Sturm) with thunder and lightening (Donner und Blitz).

Beware that though this is the busiest tourist season, it also marks frequent closures of local businesses as shop owners close up and get travelling, taking advantage of Germany’s generous vacation policies. Festivals are also frequent highlights with Berlin’s Karneval der Kulturen, Rhine in Flames, Bach Fest Leipzig, Christopher Street Day in several cities from Berlin to Cologne,  Hafenfest (harbor festival) in port side locations, Hamburg SommerDOM, as well as busy concert schedules.

Fall in Germany 

Sometimes fall approaches tentatively, with summer stretching well into the early days of the season. Other times the chill arrives quickly. Expect temperatures around 50 degrees F (10 degree C). Germany has some areas of colorful foliage, but often it feels like the leaves fall off the trees overnight. Vineyards can offer breathtaking hills of color along the Rhine and in the Moselle Valley.

Bring a scarf, gloves and a hat as a quick walk outside can leave you thoroughly frozen. If you really want to feel the spirit of the season attend the Kürbisaustellung (Pumpkin exhibition/festival)  at Ludwigsburg Schloß (Ludwigsburg Palace). And don’t forget about Germany’s largest festival, Oktoberfest, that takes place in the last weeks of September – rain or shine.

Snow-covered bikes in Erlangen

Winter in Germany 

Many people view winter in Germany as something to endure, rather than to enjoy. Temperatures can be truly cold with weeks at a time well below 0 degrees (32 degrees F) with the east and south/Bavaria frequently the coldest areas in the country. People are happy to take advantage of these freezing temperatures and snowfall in the Alps where winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are heartily enjoyed. Ice skating is another traditional activity, often taking place around the many Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets) that dot the country from late November to Christmas Eve.

Even if you aren’t planning on indulging in winter sports or huddling around a mug of Glühwein with friends for a few hours, dress warmly as fingers and toes (or even kidneys) can be said to suffer from the extreme cold. And beware the truly dark days after Christmas; once the charming glow of the markets has faded it is a long winter til spring. People look forward to cultural events like Fasching or Karneval, Berlinale, or anything to alleviate these short, dark days before doing it all over again.