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Stormy winter weather causes traffic chaos across Germany

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Stormy winter weather causes traffic chaos across Germany
Hamburg residents getting screwed by mother nature on Tuesday. Photo: DPA

A cold snap brought snow and traffic problems to parts of Germany on Tuesday, and even more snow is on the way, according to weather service Meteomedia.

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Up to 10 centimetres of snow fell in northern Germany early on Tuesday morning and snowploughs were out across the nation to clean up roadways in time for rush hour traffic. Despite their efforts there were numerous accidents due to icy roads. But police reported that most were of a minor nature.

"There is snow on the ground, but it has been adequately dispersed, which means that so far not much has happened," Bremen police said.

Still, eastern Hesse had major traffic problems on the A4, A5, and A7 motorways after heavy snowfall, police said, adding that several semi-trucks overturned on snow-covered roads, causing some €120,000 in damage.

Several people also sustained serious injuries on roads between the states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate near Irmtraut due to icy roads, police said. The state of Saarland reported some 40 accidents.

A truck collided with another parked vehicle in the state of Baden-Württemberg overnight and one truck was so damaged that police had to free the driver with heavy machinery. The driver of the other vehicle was unharmed because he’d been attaching chains to his tires, police said.

Snow showers will turn to rain at lower altitudes as the Tuesday goes on, with spotty sunshine and strong winds, Meteomedia said. Temperatures will increase to highs of 10 degrees Celsius.

Southern Germany can expect more snow, stormy winds and lower temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday.

Click here for The Local's weather forecast.

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