In German lands there is a collision of two climate areas. Maritime and continental climate makes significant difference between nature of northern and southern parts of country. Northern part is covered by arable fields. For the needs of agriculture almost all forests of this region were cut down.

Southern part is completely opposite. It covered with coniferous forests and bright alpine vegetation. This is the location of The Bavarian Forest, one of the most famous European national parks. Germany’s animal world is not very diverse and represented mostly by forest animals like moose, boars, hares, foxes, badgers, martens and wild cats.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Germany

Because if low air humidity spring comes to southern Germany later than to other countries of West Europe. March is quite cold and shifty. One day it significantly warm and other is suddenly cold and even snowy. Real spring begins in April with time of blossoms and the best weather starts from May. Same time this is a beginning of tourist season.

Spring is time when all German population celebrates Easter with the rest of Christian world. It is time of major fairs including The International Festival in Wiesbaden which gathers quests from the whole world. Noteworthy that May 1 celebrations of Labor Day and Spring are held in Germany as in Russia.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 40 mm (1.6")

April Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

May Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2.2")

(Berlin)

Spring Holidays

March 17: Leipzig Book Fair, the second biggest book fair of the world.
March 27: Easter.

April 1st: April fool’s Day.

May 1st: Labor Day and “Maifeiertag”, celebrations and fairs dedicated to Spring.
May 5: Father’s Day in Germany.
May 8: Mother’s Day.
May 10: Book Day in Germany.
May 13: Festival of Gothic Music and Culture in Leipzig.

Summer in Germany

Summertime is the peak of tourist season. This is the period when nature is transformed and appears in all its glory. Air temperature of northern regions is slightly lower than in southern and reaches about 20 °C (68 °F). Absence of debilitating heat provides great opportunity for hiking and different excursions. By the middle of July temperature may occasionally reach mark of 30 °C (86 °F). But this occurs only in western part of Germany.

Also summer is the time of music festivals such as worldwide known Nuremberg Music Festival or Mozart Music Festival.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 70 mm (2.7")

July Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2.2")

August Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 65 mm (2.5")

(Berlin)

Summer Holidays

June 24: Birth of John the Baptist, Opera Festival in Munich.

July 16: Fireworks festival "Cologne Lights".

August 8: Peace Day in Augsburg.
August 15: Ascension of Mary.
August 27: Festival "Long Night of the Museums" in Berlin.

Autumn in Germany

Season of withering begins only in October. During September all numerous parks and less numerous greenwoods save their verdure. Average day temperature drops to 17-18 °C (62-64 °F). Same time average night temperature drops to 10 °C (50 °F). Autumn is the rainiest season in Germany.

But despite all whims of nature every year in Munich held the famous festivals of country: the legendary Oktoberfest. It takes place between the ending of September and beginning of November and it is a major event of all autumn period. But national beer fest in not the only one important event in October. Other great celebration takes place in this month: Unity Day, the main state holiday of Germany.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

October Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.5 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 40 mm (1.6")

November Max average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (36 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2.0")

(Berlin)

Autumn Holidays

September 17: Oktoberfest, the beer festival.

October 2: “Erntedankfest”, the harvest festival in Germany.
October 3: Day of German Unity.
October 31: Halloween, International Savings Day, Reformation Day.

November 1: All Saints Day.
November 11: St. Martin's Day.
November 13: Day of national mourning in Germany.
November 20: Sunday in honor of All Souls in Germany.

Winter in Germany

The bigger part of country has green and windy winter. Southern part has significantly lower average temperatures of January and February. Occasionally they even reach marks of -20 °C (-4 °F).

This time of severe frost is also time for festive carnivals. The Germans begin their festivities in the first Thursday of February. These festivities last for six days almost without any break. The whole country is having fun with all the heart. Even office workers are exempt from work on holidays. The center of all events transfers to Cologne that has been famous for its most tumultuous celebrations.

The Catholic Christmas is not overlooked. Preparations for its celebrations begins early in December.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Sundial in the day: 1 hour Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2.2")

January Max average t°: +2 °C (36 °F) Min average t°: -3 °C (27 °F) Sundial in the day: 1.5 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

February Max average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Min average t°: -2 °C (28 °F) Sundial in the day: 2.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 40 mm (1.6")

(Berlin)

Winter Holidays

December 6: Catholic St. Nicholas Day. First of upcoming Christmas celebrations.
December 24: Christmas Eve in Germany.
December 25: Catholic Christmas.
December 26: St. Stephen's Day. This is the first day of long Christmas venerations of saints.
January 1st: The New Year celebration which takes place on the night between December 31 and January 1.
January 27: Holocaust Remembrance Day.
January 29: Samba Carnival in Bremen.
February 4: Fastnacht Carnival in Munich and Cologne.
February 11: Berlin International Film Festival "Berlinale".