A dense wave of smog drifting from Poland and the Czech Republic has settled over eastern Germany, creating a hazardous mix of cold temperatures and heavily polluted air. Meteorologists warn that the situation is unlikely to improve in the coming weeks as prevailing winds continue to transport emissions from Eastern Europe into the country.

According to meteorologist Carsten Brandt, easterly and south-easterly winds are expected to keep carrying polluted air masses into Germany. While snowfall may briefly improve air quality, any relief is likely to be short-lived.

The primary sources of the smog are emissions from coal-fired power plants and private coal-based heating systems in Poland and the Czech Republic. As a result, concentrations of fine particulate matter reached critical levels. In Berlin, PM2.5 levels climbed to 140 micrograms per cubic metre, far exceeding the guidelines set by the World Health Organization.

Elevated pollution levels were also recorded in Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt, and Frankfurt (Oder). Even in Hamburg, nearly half of the measured air pollution was attributed to transboundary sources rather than local emissions.

The situation is being exacerbated by a temperature inversion, in which warmer air aloft acts like a lid, preventing polluted air near the ground from dispersing. Experts caution that this atmospheric setup could make February the worst month of the year for air quality in parts of Germany.

At the same time, analysts stress that Germany is also contributing significantly to the problem. Thousands of private fireplaces and wood- and coal-burning stoves, particularly in suburban areas around major cities, add to particulate pollution during cold spells. Combined with imported smog from neighboring countries, these domestic emissions are intensifying the health risks for millions of residents.