Germany’s weather measured against the 1991–2020 climate normals
Germany’s current weather measured against the 1991–2020 climate normals, explaining DWD station data, selection rules, and how forecasts are used in regional reporting
Summary of daily comparison with the 1991–2020 baseline
The latest public comparisons place today’s temperatures and conditions against the 1991–2020 climate normals to show whether current weather is typical or unusual. Using this baseline highlights how the more recent past—already shaped by climate change—serves as the reference for what counts as normal weather in Germany. The comparison appears across national and regional pieces to give readers a clearer sense of how each day fits into that baseline.
Rationale for using the 1991–2020 period
Meteorologists and national services use the 1991–2020 period because it captures the recent climate regime people experience. That 30-year window replaces older baselines to reflect gradual shifts in average temperatures, precipitation patterns, and seasonality. By anchoring present-day observations to 1991–2020 climate normals, analysts can show whether a day is unusually warm, cold, wet or dry relative to the near-contemporary climate.
How observation stations were chosen
Stations used for the public comparison were selected to mirror everyday conditions experienced by the population, not to represent high mountain or remote sites. Each chosen station has measurement records for more than 90 percent of days in the used period, and none is located at or above 1,000 metres above sea level. Those criteria reduce gaps in the time series and avoid elevation biases that would skew the assessment of typical weather for inhabited areas.
Data timing and the role of the national service
The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) releases measured station data for the previous day, typically in the early morning, giving a verified record of what actually occurred. For the ongoing day, analysts rely on DWD forecast data to estimate current temperatures until final measurements are published. Combining yesterday’s validated observations with today’s operational forecasts provides a continuous assessment that updates as new measured values become available.
Technical approach to defining ‘unusual’ days
Determining whether a day is unusually warm or cold rests on statistical comparison with the 1991–2020 normals at each station. Temperatures and other variables are compared to long-term averages and thresholds derived from that 30-year distribution. When daily values exceed defined percentile bounds or deviate substantially from the mean, they are flagged as warmer or colder than normal, offering an objective basis to describe an event as unusual.
Integration into regional reporting and local context
The station-based comparisons serve as a reference for more detailed regional coverage across Germany’s counties and independent cities. Regional articles use the same 1991–2020 baseline to place local temperature swings and weather events in context, allowing readers to see how a county’s recent conditions compare with the expected climate for that time of year. This harmonised approach ensures that national summaries and local reports rely on consistent benchmarks.
How forecasts are incorporated and verified
Forecasted temperatures for the current day are drawn from DWD model output and accessed programmatically to bridge the gap until measured values are available. A third-party interface is used to query those forecast fields and integrate them into daily comparisons; once DWD publishes the official observations for the preceding day, forecasts are replaced by validated measurements. This workflow balances the need for timely public information with the accuracy of confirmed station data.
If you notice an error in the station comparisons or have questions about the methodology, correspondence is invited by email at [email protected]. Readers can report suspected data issues or request clarification about why a particular day was classified as normal or unusual.
The use of the 1991–2020 climate normals gives readers a consistent, contemporary yardstick for interpreting daily weather, and the combination of DWD measurements and forecasts ensures that regional and national reporting remains both timely and anchored to verifiable data.
