In June, we are often hit by a cold snap in Central Europe, known as the ‘Schafskälte’ (literally, the ‘sheep’s cold’). The ‘sheep’s cold’ is a special weather phenomenon that can bring us uncomfortable weather again just before summer.
When there is a drop in temperature, lots of rain and ground frost, it is a clear sign of the sheep’s cold. What exactly is this weather phenomenon and when does the sheep’s cold set in in Germany?
When is the sheep’s cold in 2025?
In June, cold polar air often makes its way to Germany and Central Europe again. This weather trend at the beginning of summer is known as the “sheep’s cold”. The date of the sheep’s cold is around 11 June each year.
How long does the sheep’s cold last?
The time window of this cool weather period is between 4 and 20 June. This marks the end of the period of cold weather for sheep at the official beginning of summer.
How does the sheep’s cold develop?
Between the beginning and end of June, cool, moist air flows in from the north-west. This causes temperatures to drop by up to 10 degrees within a short period of time. The low pressure area is accompanied by a change in wind direction: The wind then no longer blows from the south-west, but from the north-west.
The weather lore of the sheep’s cold is also known as the European summer monsoon. When a monsoon develops in India, similar changes in air pressure can be observed.
Weather rules: Connection of the sheep’s cold with other weather lore
There are several regular weather singularities that have found their way into the farming calendar as “notable days”.
As with the ice saints in May, the sheep’s cold is what is known as a meteorological singularity or weather regularity. These are weather conditions that are highly likely to occur at certain times of the year. Both the sheep’s cold and the ice saints refer to late frosts and a cold snap that can occur in spring.
Other weather rules, or “notable days” or “weather lore”, are the seven sleepers’ day at the end of June/beginning of July and the dog days for the period around midsummer, usually between mid-July and mid-August.
Sheep’s cold 2025 in Germany
Germany and Austria are usually the hardest hit by the sheep’s cold. However, while lower-lying areas feel it less, this cold snap is particularly noticeable in the Alpine regions and at higher altitudes. Considerable amounts of fresh snow can, therefore, even be expected here during the period of the sheep’s cold.
The sheep’s cold is, alongside a drop in temperature of five to ten degrees, also characterised by changeable weather and frequent rain.
What is meant by sheep’s cold?
The term “sheep’s cold” is derived from sheep farming, as sheep are shorn by the beginning of June.
If it gets really cold again after shearing, this can be life-threatening for the animals. Many shepherds fear the weather during this period in summer and, therefore, wait until the end of the month to shear their sheep.
What to do when the sheep’s cold occurs?
Weather lore is traditional wisdom based on observations of nature and the weather. It helps farmers, professional and amateur gardeners to prepare for the sheep’s cold and take appropriate protective measures.
By regularly checking the temperature using a thermometer, you can monitor deviations from normal spring temperatures and thereby determine whether the sheep’s cold will have an impact on your area.
Late frosts, such as those that can occur during the sheep’s cold, can damage sensitive plants such as columbine, annual summer flowers or some types of vegetables and herbs. If columbine is already sprouting from the ground and flowering, it can be damaged by frost. It is, therefore, advisable to protect columbines and similar plants from the sheep’s cold by covering them or placing them in greenhouses. This helps to minimise possible frost damage and maintain the growth and flowering of the plants.
Which Weather Instruments Help During this period?
Recognizing the sheep’s cold in time can help prevent damage to plants, animals, and property. Modern weather instruments provide valuable support — whether in the garden, on the field, or on your balcony.
These devices are especially helpful:
- Thermometers: They reliably measure air and soil temperatures — especially important for gardeners to protect sensitive plants from late frost.
- Weather Stations: These systems provide comprehensive weather data, allowing you to quickly detect sudden temperature drops or changes in air pressure.
- Hygrometers and Barometers: They monitor humidity and air pressure — both are key indicators of upcoming cold air intrusions.
Analogue thermo-hygrometer with metal ring
Item number: 45.2027
Wireless thermo-hygrometer with 3 transmitters KLIMA@HOME 2
Item number: 30.3075
Tip: With a modern weather station, you can easily monitor temperature drops, changes in air pressure, and humidity levels — perfect for preparing for the Schafskälte.
Does the sheep’s cold still hold true today?
The sheep’s cold is an old weather lore. However, it is not a superstition, but a verifiable weather phenomenon. There is a high probability of 89% that the sheep’s cold will occur around 11 June each year.
Does the sheep’s cold also exist in other countries?
The sheep’s cold is a weather phenomenon that extends across Central Europe. Germany and Austria are most affected by this cold snap. While lower-lying areas feel less of this cold front, the sheep’s cold is particularly noticeable in the Alpine region. In the Alpine region around Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia, the weather conditions can be divided into two phases. The first cold spell often occurs between 3 and 5 June. A second cold weather phase usually takes place between 15 and 21 June.
Source:
1 Flohn and Hess: Meteorologische Rundschau. 2nd edition. Stuttgart 1949, p. 258.
