Climate forecasts point to a comparatively mild winter
Forecasts by the German Weather Service (DWD) point to a normal to warmer winter this year. The beginning of the meteorological winter on December 1 could be rather mild, while the possibility of cold air outbreaks increases towards the end of the winter season on February 29, the DWD announced. The weather experts emphasized that these are climate forecasts and not specific weather forecasts. Individual days or weeks can therefore turn out differently in winter.
For Tobias Fuchs, Director of Climate and Environment at the DWD, the prospect of a comparatively mild winter has "two sides". "On the one hand, a mild winter is a further indication of the ongoing climate change in Germany," explained the expert. On the other hand, this is positive news for all energy consumers. "If the forecast proves correct, we could save heating energy as a result," explained Fuchs.
The forecasts are based on a comparison of average three-month values from 1991 to 2020. These forecasts take into account complex interactions between the atmosphere and inert components of the climate system such as the ocean, sea ice and the land surface. The seasonal climate forecasts therefore apply to larger time periods and larger geographical areas and are not as accurate as weather forecasts.
Given the mild winter forecast, Tobias Fuchs, the Director of Climate and Environment at DWD, suggests that we could potentially save on heating energy. However, the climate forecasts, though based on historical data, cannot guarantee specific weather patterns during individual days or weeks throughout the winter.
Source: www.ntv.de
