Germany has a mild climate, largely because the land is near the sea. In winter, the sea is not as cold as the land. In summer, it is not as warm. As a result, west winds from the sea help warm Germany in winter and cool it in summer. Away from the sea, in southern areas, winters are colder and summers are warmer.

The average temperature in January, the coldest month in Germany, is above 30 °F (–1 °C). Cold winds from eastern Europe sometimes reach Germany in winter, and the temperature may drop sharply for short periods. In July, the hottest month in Germany, the temperature averages about 64 °F (18 °C).

Most of Germany receives from 20 to 40 inches (50 to 100 centimeters) of precipitation (rain, melted snow, and other forms of moisture) a year. Some hilly and mountainous areas receive more precipitation.

The moisture-bearing west winds first reach Germany in the northwest. In that area, rain falls almost evenly throughout the year, with a little more in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Inland, most rain falls in summer, often in heavy thunderstorms. Deep snow covers some mountainous areas throughout the winter.