The German Baltic Sea coast has been one of the most popular domestic holiday destinations, and not just since the coronavirus pandemic. In summer, holidaymakers there hope for a stable high-pressure situation with sunny weather and light winds. Beachgoers are often all the more surprised to find that the easterly wind can pick up strongly even in this weather situation - which makes windsurfers happy. In the winter months, on the other hand, icy north-easterly storms descend on the otherwise rather tame Baltic Sea coast and cause storm surges in the Bay of Lübeck. Although there are sometimes excellent wave conditions, the temperatures demand the thickest neoprene and a healthy dose of masochism.
East location - weather map and high season
A very extensive area of high pressure is centred over northern Europe, but its influence extends far south to the Alpine region. In the northern hemisphere, the air circles a centre of high pressure in a clockwise direction. As a result, we experience an easterly air flow at our Central European spots. It is not often that high air pressure settles over northern Europe. However, when this does happen, such an easterly situation is very stable - and can sometimes last for more than a week. Spring is the peak season for this major weather situation, which is particularly true in May.
May in particular brings beautiful, but also cold easterly winds.
Typical wind and weather conditions
As a rule, the wind blows with three to five Beaufort from north-east to east. The strongest winds in this general weather situation often occur on the Baltic Sea and inland waters (e.g. Müritz) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania - here we sometimes even have to prepare for force six or seven in this weather situation.
It also blows very briskly with four to five, in gusts of six Beaufort in the foothills of the Alps, provided the wind direction is north-east to east (guard rail effect of the Alps). In the English Channel and North Sea spots and also in most inland areas, the easterly direction brings force three to four, in gusts even five. In this weather situation, the wind is particularly gusty on the inland lakes - and where it blows offshore, especially from midday to the evening.
This weather situation is often accompanied by friendly weather, and for the coasts of the Baltic Sea this is one of the sunniest times of all. Plenty of sunshine with a gliding wind guarantee, and thanks to the stable general weather situation over many days: Baltic Sea surfers virtually yearn for the easterlies.
The only downer is the air temperature: due to the Nordic origin of the air mass and its journey across the still winter-cold Baltic Sea, it is downright chilly. Especially in May, the neoprene can be even thicker.
East wind - between mild summer breezes and icy winter storms
A stable area of high pressure over northern Europe causes easterly winds in Germany, which can intensify both on the German Baltic coast and on the northern edge of the Alps. This weather situation occurs very frequently, especially in May.
All parts of the wind special:
- The west wind
- The east wind on the Baltic Sea
- Ora and Vento on Lake Garda
- The foehn in the Alps
- The Meltemi in Greece
- The bora in Croatia
- The sirocco in the central Mediterranean
- The mistral in the south of France
- The Tramontana in the northern Mediterranean
- The Levante in southern Spain
- The trade wind zone
- The roots of the trade winds
- Core trade wind - In the centre of the trade wind
- Passat run-off zone - The end of the Passat
- Interview: Climate researcher Dr Michael Sachweh - "Chasing storms is my passion"
- Windfinder: How wind forecasts are created, the difference between forecast and super-forecast
