March 2026 was exceptionally sunny, mild, and dry across Germany. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), prevailing high‑pressure systems kept the skies clear and the temperatures warm, while late‑March nights reflected lingering winter conditions.
“Temperature”
– The monthly mean temperature was 6.3 °C, which is 2.8 °C above the 1961‑1990 baseline and 1.7 °C above the 1991‑2020 period.
– In the first half of the month, temperatures reached values that normally appear only in mid‑April.
– The record high for March was 19.9 °C at 07 March in Michelstadt, Odenwald.
– At the month’s end, northwest winds brought a low of ‑15.5 °C on 28 March in Oberstdorf.
“Precipitation”
– Precipitation was scarce, concentrated mainly in the early second decade and at the month’s end.
– Total rainfall was 37 L m⁻², representing a drop of more than 35 % compared with both reference periods.
– Eastern Germany was particularly dry, whereas the Black Forest and the Alpine foothills received 80-120 L m⁻² more.
– The heaviest single‑day rainfall, 35.2 L m⁻², fell on 25 March in Utzenfeld, South Black Forest.
“Sunshine”
– The month recorded roughly 195 sunshine hours, setting a new record for the first meteorological spring month.
– Only March 2022 and last year’s March surpassed this figure.
– The long‑term average (1961‑1990) of 111 h was exceeded by 75 %, and even the newer comparison period (127 h) was outpaced by over 50 %.
– Regional variations were minimal; only the far north and the extreme south recorded totals below 150 h.
Overall, March 2026 combined unusually warm temperatures, high sunshine durations, and very low rainfall across Germany.