Offenbach (dpa/lhe) – At the end of the year, Hesse experienced the warmest year since measurements began with an annual mean temperature of 10.7 degrees, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). According to the provisional annual balance, this value was not only above the average value of the reference period of 8.2 degrees, but also above the German annual mean temperature of 10.5 degrees.
In addition, Hesse had the sunniest March and in some places record snowfalls in April. The long-lasting summer in the months of June, July and August pleased holidaymakers and day trippers, but also left dry landscapes and burnt forests and fields behind. According to the DWD, it was the sunniest and driest summer since 1881 and thus since records began. Only September brought the long-awaited rain. October 2022 was one of the two warmest in Hesse, on a par with October 2001.
It only got really cold in the second decade of December with a week of permafrost. In the mountains, the temperature stayed below zero for two weeks. However, record-breaking mild temperatures are expected at the end of the year.
With 655 liters of precipitation per square meter, the year in Hessen was clearly too dry. The “set value” of the long-term average would have been 793 liters. There was also a new record for the duration of sunshine of 2025 hours – the long-term average target value is only 1459 hours of sunshine in Hesse.
