© Marco Hermann / Met HiradoSpring snow in Harperscheid, Germany
A thin layer of snow greeted residents of central Germany's Harz mountains above altitudes of 700 meters early Saturday.
The German meteorological service DWD said the cold front would move southward and persist through Monday, with snowfall in the Alps reaching up to 8 inches and temperatures falling below freezing at night.
A drop in temperatures and even ground frost around mid-May isn't uncommon in Germany. Folklore attributes the phenomenon to the 'ice saints' — Christian martyrs whose saints' days fall between May 11 and 15.
Winter scenes in 53940 Hellenthal - Hollerath, Germany today, May 4th! Report: Monika Bolg Aspacher pic.twitter.com/JuMe901ulH
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) May 4, 2019
Fresh snow in northern Germany this morning, May 4th! Report: @piamaus1994 via @MeteoplusRO pic.twitter.com/Smjb6snm7y
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) May 4, 2019
Lots of fresh late spring snow in 36369 Lautertal/Hessen, Germany this morning, May 4th. Report: Claudia Detrois pic.twitter.com/GaoPdv5Ejl
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) May 4, 2019
Source: Associated Press
Comment: Spring snow hits Finland