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Daylight Savings Time in Germany: History, Timing, and Impact

Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice where clocks are moved forward by one hour during the warmer months to extend evening daylight and moved back again as winter approaches. While this custom is widespread, its origins and effects are often questioned, especially in countries like Germany, where it has been a long-standing practice. 

Phases

Daylight Saving Time (DST) and Winter Time are two phases of the annual clock adjustment cycle.

The main difference lies in their purpose and effect:
DST is meant to maximize daylight in the evening, while Winter Time aligns waking hours with natural daylight in the morning.

Daylight Saving Time (DST)

Clocks are set forward by one hour (from 02:00 AM to 3:00 AM) in the spring, usually on the last Sunday of March, to extend evening daylight during the warmer months. The goal is to make better use of daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting and conserving energy.

Daylight Saving Time (DST)

Clocks are set forward by one hour (from 02:00 AM to 3:00 AM) in the spring, usually on the last Sunday of March, to extend evening daylight during the warmer months. The goal is to make better use of daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting and conserving energy.

Winter Time:

Also known as standard time or "normal time," clocks are set back by one hour (from 03:00 AM to 02:00 AM) on the last Sunday in October, returning to the original time. This shift allows for brighter mornings during the shorter days of winter but results in earlier sunsets.

Winter Time:

Also known as standard time or "normal time," clocks are set back by one hour (from 03:00 AM to 02:00 AM) on the last Sunday in October, returning to the original time. This shift allows for brighter mornings during the shorter days of winter but results in earlier sunsets.

History of Daylight Saving Time in Germany

Germany was one of the first countries in the world to implement daylight saving time. During World War I, on April 30, 1916, Germany and its ally Austria-Hungary introduced DST as a way to conserve fuel for the war effort by making better use of natural daylight. The idea was to reduce the need for artificial lighting, which would, in turn, save coal and other energy sources crucial to the war economy.

After World War I, Germany abandoned DST, but it was reintroduced during World War II for similar reasons. Following the war, the practice was once again discontinued and then re-established in the 1980s during the energy crisis. This time, the European Economic Community (the precursor to the European Union) recommended that its member states adopt DST to align schedules and promote economic efficiency.

Today, DST in Germany is regulated as part of the EU-wide directive, which mandates that all member states set their clocks forward by one hour on the last Sunday in March and move them back by one hour on the last Sunday in October. The shift to winter time, or the reversion to standard time, is primarily about aligning waking hours with daylight during the darker months of the year. By moving the clocks back in autumn, mornings are brighter, which can help people wake up more easily and go about their daily routines during the shorter days of winter.

Negative Effects

Despite its historical and practical motivations, Daylight Saving Time has some negative effects, both on individuals and on society as a whole. 
While the shift to Winter time (Standard time) offers some advantages, such as brighter mornings, it also has several negative effects.
Many people find the sudden change in schedule to be disruptive, and the earlier sunsets during winter can have both physical and psychological impacts.

Disruption of Sleep Patterns

One of the most immediate and noticeable impacts of DST is the disruption of sleep. When the clocks are moved forward in spring, people lose an hour of sleep, and it can take days or even weeks for their bodies to adjust. This shift can lead to sleep deprivation, irritability, and reduced productivity, especially in the week following the time change. Some studies even show an increase in accidents, both on the road and in the workplace, immediately after the clocks are set forward.

Health Impacts

DST can also have negative effects on health. The shift in time messes with our circadian rhythms, the internal “body clock” that regulates sleep-wake cycles. This disruption can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular issues in the days following the transition. For some people, especially those who already suffer from sleep disorders, the impact can be long-lasting.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

One of the most significant negative effects of winter time is its contribution to the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). As the clocks are moved back, the days become shorter and the evenings darker much earlier. The reduced exposure to sunlight, especially in the afternoon, can lead to a drop in serotonin levels, affecting mood and energy levels. For people prone to depression, this seasonal change can trigger or worsen symptoms of SAD, making the winter months particularly challenging.

Economic and Social Costs

The biannual clock change also has economic and social costs. Schedules are disrupted, which can be particularly challenging for businesses and industries that operate across different time zones. In addition, the time change can lead to decreased productivity in the days following the switch, as workers struggle to adapt to the new schedule.

Pets

Pets, especially dogs and cats, often become accustomed to regular feeding times. When the clocks change, their internal body clocks don’t automatically adjust to the new schedule, leading to confusion or discomfort. For example, a pet expecting to be fed at 7:00 AM might suddenly have to wait an extra hour when the clocks are turned back during the shift to winter time. This can make them restless, anxious, or even more vocal as they try to communicate their hunger at their “usual” time.

For pets that follow a set bathroom schedule, such as dogs that are walked at specific times, the time change can also cause disruptions. Dogs may become anxious or uncomfortable when their bathroom breaks are delayed due to the time shift, especially if they have been trained to follow a consistent schedule. This might lead to accidents in the house or restless behaviour as they try to signal their need to go outside.

Farm Animals

Farm animals, especially livestock like cows, are accustomed to very regular feeding and milking schedules. The abrupt change caused by moving the clocks forward or back can disrupt these routines. Dairy cows, for example, are milked at set times every day, and their bodies adapt to this rhythm. A sudden shift of one hour can cause stress, reduce milk yields, and lead to discomfort as their bodies aren’t prepared for the change in timing.

Farmers often have to gradually adjust their animals’ schedules over a week or two to minimize the impact, but even a gradual shift can cause mild stress for the animals.

 

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Yearly Festivals and Events in Germany

We compiled a list of annual traditional festivals and events in Germany, that we believe will provide you with an exciting array of activities and events to attend throughout the year.  If you have any ideas or recommendations regarding events or festivals that we should add to our list, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us through the contact form. We value your input and suggestions in making our list as comprehensive and accurate as possible.  List of events Special days and observations Karneval/Fasching/Fastnacht It is also called the fifth season, and things can get a bit “Narrisch” So what is Carnival, Fastnacht and Faching? These are the same but they differ from region to region. Fasching – Austria, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Sachsen Fastnacht – Baden, Franconia, Hesse, Saarland, Mainz, Swabenland, Switzerland and Luxumbourg Karneval – Rhineland: Aachen, Bonn, Köln and Düsseldorf Carnival is a celebration of excess and includes parades, floats, dancing, formal balls, wearing costumes, noise and a lot of partying. It is the period before Lent, that starts on Ash Wednesday.Lent is a time of repentance and abstinence in preparation for Easter. NarrenzunftThis is yet another version of the carnival.The local carnival clubs of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival and some of the Rhenish carnival describe themselves as fools’ guilds. These guilds are mostly organised in the legal form of a registered association (Verein).You can find the “Zunfttermine” here.You can find a list of the associations / Vereine here. Oktoberfest or Bierfests The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The start date has been moved to the end of September to take advantage of the milder weather. The original festival is held in Munich on the Theresienwiese, or “Wiesn,”. Other cities are now joining in the celebrations with their own bierfests. Bierbörse or Beer exchanges are also very popular. A beer exchange is an event dedicated to the art of brewing from around the world and is not comparable to other city festivals. The fair consists of two-thirds beer outlets and one-third food outlets. The event is characterized by peaceful and cosy beer enjoyment, with visitors able to choose from several hundred local and exotic beers. The beer specialties are not only available fresh from the tap, but can also be bought as bottled beers and taken home with you. See the Bierbörse page for event dates Frühlingsfest One of the most exciting events in Germany during springtime is a Frühlingsfest. It is a wonderful opportunity to participate in traditional German music, dance, and food. From the colourful decorations to the lively crowds, there is a sense of excitement and joy in the air. It’s a time to indulge in delicious German cuisine, from sausages and pretzels to sweet pastries and refreshing drinks. A Frühlingsfest is truly a must-see event in Germany during the spring season. With so much to see and do, it’s a fantastic way to experience German culture and create unforgettable memories with loved ones. Wine festivals There are a variety of wonderful wine festivals held in Germany throughout the year. From the iconic Oktoberfest (yes also for wine) to smaller, more intimate celebrations, these festivals offer a great opportunity to sample some of the country’s finest wines and experience local culture. Some of the popular festivals include the Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim, the Mosel Wine Festival in Bernkastel-Kues, and the Wine Village Festival in Freinsheim. Each festival has its unique charm and distinctive wine varietals to explore. In addition to wine tasting, visitors can also enjoy traditional German cuisine, live music, and other delightful cultural activities. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or just looking for a fun time, these wine festivals are definitely worth checking out if you find yourself in Germany! Stuttgarter Weindorf Ulmer Weinfest Almabtrieb In the Alpine regions, the Almabtrieb (Bavarian) or Viehscheid (Allgäu) refer to the drive of cattle from the mountain pastures into the valley, where they spend the winter in the farm stables. Depending on the regional climate, the cattle drive takes place between mid-September and mid-October and is often accompanied by festive customs. The Viehscheid in Immenstadt is considered the only urban alpine cattle drive in Germany.  Musical entertainment is provided all day and there are food and drinks to be enjoyed. In the afternoon, the Scheidschellenwürfeln takes place. The Almabtrieb über den Köningsee is also a highlight. Harvest festivals Harvest festivals or Erntedankfest is an annual celebration to give thanks to God for the gifts of the harvest. On this thanksgiving Sunday, churches are decorated and the steps in front of the altar are decorated with the gifts of nature. In some places, there are processions with colourfully decorated floats and music.It is always on the first Sunday in October. Ritterspiele Ritterspiele, often referred to as jousting games or tournaments, are a highly skilled and immensely entertaining art form that has its roots firmly planted in the rich traditions of European Middle Ages. It is a fascinating sport that has gained immense popularity and has since evolved into both an art form and a mode of entertainment, captivating audiences worldwide. The event often features highly skilled and well-trained knights, battling it out on horseback while using lances to strike their opponents with the objective of knocking them off their horse. The Ritterspiele events are characterized by intricate costumes, beautifully designed shields, and awe-inspiring armor that speak to the grandeur of the medieval era. It is a perfect representation of a bygone era, one that brings to life a time when courage, chivalry, and honor were the watchwords of the day.The following websites list Medieval events: Die Mittelalter Agentur Sündenfrei Mittelalterkalender.info Volksfest A Volksfest is more than just a festival; it is a deeply-rooted cultural tradition that has been observed and celebrated for many years. This type of festival is typically held in towns and cities around the country, where locals and tourists alike come together to enjoy various activities and attractions. One of the main features of a

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Weather in Germany

German Climate Germany’s climate is temperate and marine, with cold, cloudy winters and warm summers and in the south occasional warm föhn wind. The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate. In the northwest and the north, the climate is oceanic and rain falls all year round. Winters here are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool.In the east, the climate shows clear continental features; winters can be very cold for long periods, and summers can become very warm. Dry periods are often recorded. In the centre and the south, there is a transitional climate that may be predominantly oceanic or continental, according to the general weather situation. Winters are cool and summers warm, though maximum temperatures can exceed 30 °C for several days in a row during heat waves. The warmest regions of Germany can be found in the southwest.Here summers can be hot with many days exceeding 30 °C. Weather atlas gives a good overview of the climate per month Another good source of information by Region/Town is the Climatemps website. Here is an example of the weather data they have for Stuttgart Current weather conditions BERLIN WEATHER STUTTGART WEATHER FELDBERG WEATHER Towns with the most sunshine Freiburg and Chemnitz are known as the towns with the most sunshine hours in Germany.Looking for other sunny cities in Germany? You can see a comparison here. When you don’t feel yourself during the darker months, you might suffer from Seasonal affective disorder Warmest cities in Germany Frankfurt is the warmest city in the summer.The city with the highest average temperature for 2019 was Köln-Stammheim. Offenbach am Main is also on the list.Rostock is the coldest on average. Most Rainfall per city Halle / Saale has the least rainfall. It also seldom rains in Erfurt, Berlin and Magdeburg – they still have little sunshine (3.8 to 4.4 hours/day).According to Bild, A lot of rain falls in Oldenburg (1072 milliliters), Remscheid (942), Essen (931), Solingen (896) and Wuppertal (866).This means that North Rhine-Westphalia is not only one of the regions with the poorest sunshine but also one of the rainiest regions. Where to find the most Snow The snowiest location in Germany is the Zugspitze, standing at an elevation of 3,000 meters. While snow is most common in mountainous regions, lower-lying areas also experience snowfall, though less frequently. The heaviest snowfall typically occurs in January and February. Types of weather conditions Precipitation refers to any form of atmospheric moisture that falls to the Earth’s surface. There are various types of precipitation that can occur depending on the temperature and atmospheric conditions in a particular region. The most common types of precipitation include rain, snow, sleet, and hail. To read more about the difference between Graupel, Freezing rain, Sleet and snow, have a look on this page from NJ.  der Regen Rain Rain occurs when liquid water droplets in the air combine and become heavy enough to fall to the ground der Hagel Hail Hail is formed when strong updrafts carry water droplets high into the atmosphere where they freeze and are repeatedly cycled through rising and falling air currents, forming layers of ice. der Dauerregen Constant or persistent rain The US National Weather Service has a good explanation of the different types of rainIn Central Europe one speaks of continuous rain when it continues with uninterrupted rainfall and a severity of more than 0.5 millimeters of precipitation per hour for a period of at least six hours. der Sprühregen or der Nieselregen Drizzle Fairly uniform precipitation composed exclusively of fine drops very close together. Drizzle appears to float while following air currents, but unlike fog droplets, it falls to the ground. Quite often fog and drizzle occur together. der Graupel / Graupel Also known as snow pellets.Graupel forms when snowflakes are coated with a layer of ice. Graupel is typically white and opaque. der Eisregen Freezing rain Raindrops becomes supercooled and freeze upon impact with any surface. This results in ice that can accumulate.Freezing rain occurs when the layer of freezing air is so thin that the raindrops do not have enough time to freeze before reaching the ground.  Instead, the water freezes on contact with the surface, creating a coating of ice on whatever the raindrops contact.  der Schneeregen Sleet Sleet is simply frozen raindrops and occurs when the layer of freezing air along the surface is thicker.  This causes the raindrops to freeze before reaching the ground.Sleet occurs mainly just before snowfall and looks like hoarfrost droplets. In contrast to snow, sleet grains are easily breakable. Often these break when they hit the ground. der Schnee Snow Snow occurs when the temperature is cold enough for water vapor to freeze into ice crystals in the air. Snow is solid precipitation that falls from the sky in the form of ice crystals. The ice crystals look like six-pointed stars, needles, columns or plates.  der Nebel Fog In the meteorological glossary fog is defined as ‘obscurity in the surface layers of the atmosphere, which is caused by a suspension of water droplets. By international agreement (particularly for aviation purposes) fog is the name given to resulting visibility less than 1 km. However, in forecasts for the public, this generally refers to visibility less than 180 m. Some also say that Fog is a cloud that reaches ground level (rolls in) Der Dunst Mist Mist is defined as ‘when there is such obscurity and the associated visibility is equal to or exceeds 1000 m.’ Like fog, mist is still the result of the suspension of water droplets, but simply at a lower density. Mist typically is quicker to dissipate and can rapidly disappear with even slight winds, it’s also what you see when you can see your breath on a cold day. Some also say that mist forms on the ground (rises) der Eisnebel Freezing fog The fog forms when the temps at the surface are below freezing.The accumulation will usually be horizontal due to the wind. This type of fog can occur when cold air

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