Wintermonate

Wintermonate is a German-language term that refers to the winter months of the year, typically December, January, and February in the northern hemisphere. The word is a compound of Winter (winter) and Monate (months), and it is used to designate the calendar period that represents winter in common discourse and planning.

In everyday usage, Wintermonate indicate the season of winter as a discrete set of months, rather than the broader astronomical definition of winter. In German-speaking regions, meteorological conventions often align Wintermonate with December through February, which correspond to the three coldest months and the period of lowest average daylight in many areas.

Variability exists in how the concept is applied. Some contexts may extend Wintermonate to include late November or early March, depending on local climate, agricultural cycles, or cultural traditions. Conversely, discussions focused on meteorology or energy planning may adhere strictly to December–February as the standard Wintermonate.

Historically, the term appears in German-language texts from the 19th century onward as a straightforward label for the winter portion of the year within calendars, almanacs, and seasonal discourse. Today, it is used in weather reports, tourism planning, and cultural contexts to denote winter as a distinct seasonal period without reference to astronomical definitions.

See also: Winter, Jahreszeit, Kalendermonat.