Wind and cold cause a felt temperature of -22 degrees - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania shivers through its coldest winter spell yet

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has faced its coldest spell of the winter, with temperatures plummeting to –14°C in eastern Vorpommern. The freezing conditions have disrupted transport and created dangerous wind chills as low as –22°C in the early hours. Authorities warn that while extreme, this cold snap remains less severe than the historic deep freeze of 2012.

Monday marked the coldest day of the season so far in the region. In Vorpommern, towns like Barth recorded –14.3°C, while Grambow and Greifswald saw lows of –11.9°C and –10.9°C respectively. These values, measured between late 2025 and early February 2026, stand out as rare extremes compared to recent milder winters. Last year, Rostock/Warnemünde averaged a yearly temperature of 10.71°C, making this sudden cold particularly sharp.

The freezing weather has caused practical problems. Ferry services to Hiddensee are now restricted to emergency crossings, with an icebreaker deployed to assist stranded passengers. Wind chill worsened conditions, making it feel like –22°C before dawn and –20°C during daylight. Despite the current chill, forecasts suggest a gradual warming trend, with temperatures edging toward freezing or slightly above by next weekend.

Historical records show even harsher winters. In 2012, Ueckermünde hit –28.7°C, far colder than this week's lows. The February average for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania this year sits at –8.3°C, colder than usual but not unprecedented.

The cold wave has temporarily halted normal ferry operations and pushed wind chills to hazardous levels. With temperatures expected to climb in the coming days, the region may soon see relief from the worst of the freeze. For now, the current conditions remain less extreme than the record-breaking cold of a decade ago.