Essen's Climate
Essen lies in the industrial Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany, fairly far inland and at modest elevation. It has a temperate oceanic climate with moderate temperature swings, shaped by moist westerly winds off the Atlantic. Summers (June–August) are mild, usually 20–25°C, with scattered showers and thunderstorms, while winters (December–February) are cool and damp, hovering around 0–6°C with occasional light snow. Spring and autumn are gentle transitions, often cloudy and humid. Rain falls fairly evenly through the year and skies are frequently grey and foggy.