Thinking of going to Germany in the car in January. What’ll the weather be like?

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Doc

Doc

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Like i said we are thinking of a car trip early in the year maybe January. Is it worth visiting at that time of a year ? or is everthing closed down.

GPX - Rhön und Spessart - A little south of Fulda, a little east of Frankfurt

I have cut quite a nice route from the latest edition (125) of Motorrad & Reisen magazine, into MyRoute. I think it’s near enough correct.
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I have started you a fresh thread, citing the post from the thread above.

Richard
 
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Doc said:
Ok thanks Wessie. Like i said we are thinking of a car trip early in the year maybe January. Is it worth visiting at that time of a year ? or is everthing closed down.
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the big cities will still have stuff open but I looked at Bamberg and they have a typical tourist season from March to October for organised tours. It's Germany, the bars will still be open. If you go to university cities like Wurzburg or Ulm then they will have plenty of pretty young things to ogle. That's your needs met and I am sure there are shops for the other half :p
 
Doc said:
Ok thanks Wessie. Like i said we are thinking of a car trip early in the year maybe January. Is it worth visiting at that time of a year ? or is everthing closed down.
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Winter tyres are compulsory in Germany. Don’t get caught by zee Polizei… it’s not like here in the UK, where no one gives a ****

Read up
 
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January, in central(ish) Germany is generally cold and dark; so pretty much like here.

There might be snow, there might not….

Here’s Fulda, to give you an idea.

Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Fulda Hesse, Germany​

In Fulda, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy and the winters are very cold, snowy, windy, and mostly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -3°C to 23°C and is rarely below -11°C or above 29°C.

Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit Fulda for warm-weather activities is from late June to late August.
 
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Fulda is looking dry from 2-10 January but rain or snow is forecast from 11th for 4 days then fog 15-17 before it brightens up again from 18th.Temperatures will range from -1 on 12th to +6 on 19th.
Hope that helps.
 
Thanks lads. Might wait and go on two wheels.
 
It gets expensive. Winter tyres & an Umwelt sticker needed, along with chains in some areas - we used to drive to the ski slopes late Jan each year, but these days a winter fly-drive probably makes more sense.

Great fun if the weather is reasonably kind.
 
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You can get the green emission sticker for 5 Euros at at any TUV station, only needed for some big city’s . Winter tyres are not compulsory as long as you don’t drive in snow or ice, and get caught by the polizei if you do.
 
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As snow gets much rarer and some ski resorts are closing down now due to the lack of snow below 2000 m I Iwouldn’t worry too much about snow trouble.
That is unless you go south Bavaria and Southern Suebia.
Weather generally continental and more stable, longer spells of cold as well as sunshine, changes are slower.
In Germany they suggest snow tyres now with the snow flake symbol on, seems all the rage and mandatory for new tyres.
Snow tyres aren’t mandatory but in case of an accident you are supposed to have the correct tyre for the appropriate weather condition to be covered by your insurance
Roads are cleared usually very well, they don’t salt that much anymore or not at all.
Just go and enjoy…….
 
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albatross said:
Snow tyres aren’t mandatory
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Snow-specific tyres not, but M+S tyres (three peaks + M&S markings) are if the signs are present.
The difference being, other European countries (eg: France, Italy) if you see the sign you are required to have winter equipment on board: snow chains, snow socks or equivalent suitable tyres. Germany requires the tyres.

Double check in advance local regulation and roads you go through if traveling in winter with summer tyres/non M+S.
I think nowadays there is a fair share of "all season" tyres that are M+S marked anyway, so maybe generally a bit less of an issue for people who live in those areas (as in: no swapping rims and tyres).

Said that: I've traveled for years across France/Switzerland in winter on what were considered "summer tyres" and never had an issue as the roads were always religiously cleared from the snow. Unless you go up the mountains it's ok. But be aware of the different regulation in Germany. ;)
 
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According to ADAC…
Winter tire requirement: When does it apply?
There is no general winter tire requirement in Germany, but a situational one. This means that in winter road conditions, i.e. on black ice, snow, slush, ice or frost, you may only drive with winter tires. The rule of thumb from October to Easter (O to O) is a rough guide, but has no legal relevance.
The situational winter tire requirement is considered to be fulfilled when winter tires are fitted on all wheel positions, i.e. on all four wheels.

Alpine symbol on winter tires
Designation of winter tires
From now on, only winter tires with the Alpine symbol are permitted© ADAC
Current winter tires can be recognized by the Alpine symbol, a mountain pictogram with a snowflake. Tires with M+S markings are no longer permitted in winter road conditions.
 
Doc said:
Thanks lads. Might wait and go on two wheels.
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UKGSer specialises in making things complicated.

If the weather forecast for the week ahead looks good or even reasonable, then go. If it looks shite *, then don’t. It really is that simple.


* How you define good / reasonable / shite, is entirely up to you.


PS You could always fly down and hire a car. That would be very easy.
 
Wapping said:
UKGSer specialises in making things complicated.

If the weather forecast for the week ahead looks good or even reasonable, then go. If it looks shite *, then don’t. It really is that simple.


* How you define good / reasonable / shite, is entirely up to you.
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Ah, ja, but wot if ze forecaster is Mikael Fisch and he has made einen großen boo-boo ?
And vill there be Biker-Kumpel sichert Butter im Kühlschrankparkplatz ?
 
Arsey said:
Ah, ja, but wot if ze forecaster is Mikael Fisch and he has made einen großen boo-boo ?
And vill there be Biker-Kumpel sichert Butter im Kühlschrankparkplatz ?
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Mein Gott im Himmel, Dein Deutsch ist beschissen Englaender 🤣🍺🇩🇪
 
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