Winter sports fans could look forward to sunny and frosty weather in the Thuringian Forest at the weekend. But the snow magic could soon be over. And there is a risk for motorists on Monday.
Oberhof/Erfurt (dpa/th) - Many Thuringians used the sunny and frosty winter weather at the weekend for cross-country skiing or tobogganing in the Thuringian Forest. A total of three other ski areas were opened on Friday and Saturday, as a spokesman for the Thuringian Forest regional association said on Saturday. The sunny winter weather attracts many people to nature. "The total length of the groomed cross-country skiing trails is currently 112 kilometers," said the spokesman. The Fallbach lift in Oberhof was opened on Friday and the Silbersattel ski arena in Steinach and the Winterwelt in Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig on Saturday.
Overall, significantly more visitors are expected this winter sports season - due to the double World Cup in biathlon and tobogganing next year, said the spokesman.
On Saturday there was about 20 to 25 centimeters of snow on the Rennsteig. In addition, there are frosty temperatures around minus 10 degrees - "and in pure sunshine," said the spokesman. There are 35 winter hiking trails. In addition, twelve toboggan slopes are open and five ski areas with lifts.
According to the German Weather Service, the lowest temperature of the Thuringian DWD weather stations was measured in Bad Lobenstein in East Thuringia at the weekend with minus 17 degrees. In the ridges of the Thuringian Forest, winter sports fans could look forward to temperatures around minus 8 to minus 9 degrees and sunshine.
However, the snow and frost should be over again. A warm front is moving in from the west on Monday night, said a DWD spokesman. Rain is expected in the second half of the night. However, since it is still very cold near the ground and on the ground, there is a risk of black ice. "You have to expect it at the end of the night, from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m.," said spokesman. Only light rain is expected, but that's enough for mirror-smooth roads.
It is assumed that on Monday the temperature will also rise to 2 to 4 degrees in the ridges. "This continues in the following days." Since there is not a lot of snow, it could also be gone relatively quickly. The snow may last a little longer in some valleys where the cold air stays.
