Severe weather warnings were in effect over much of northern Germany on Friday morning as Storm Elli arrived. Many schools in heavily affected regions were closed, and transport was heavily disrupted.
The storm, which is called "Goretti" in Britain, has also caused severe disruptions across neighbouring European countries, including bringing the highest-level red wind alert to the British Isles of Scilly and Cornwall and causing widespread power outages in France's Normandy region.
Here's an overview of the initial impacts in Germany:
Snow and icy weather
The German Weather Service (DWD) forecast "partly heavy snowfall from the southwest" reaching across Germany to the Elbe.
As of Friday morning the most severe snow warnings were in place in the northwest corner of the country, including around Bremen and Hamburg. There were icy road warnings in place over much of Bavaria, especially around Munich and near to the German Alps. And in Saarland and parts of Baden-Württemberg there were wind warnings.
Around 10 to 15 centimetres of fresh snow is expected in the red region seen above which stretches from the North Sea to the east. The German Weather Service expects the most snow in the low mountain ranges, where up to 20 centimetres could fall, especially on slopes which face the wind.
The majority of the snowfall was predicted to fall within three to six hours. In the afternoon and evening, the snowfall is expected to gradually subside, with only a few additional centimetres of fresh snow expected from then on.
Strong winds can pile up snowdrifts, which may lead to major traffic obstructions.
In the much of the south and west of Germany, snowfall was expected to turn to rain on Friday creating slippery conditions on the roads.
Slippery roads
Driving a car can be highly dangerous in icy, wet conditions and the German Weather Service (DWD) has warned of slippery roads in many places. On Thursday night, the first accidents were reported.
In Baden-Württemberg, a bus slid down a slope. According to the local police, three people were slightly injured.
More than 20 trucks got stuck on the snow-covered A7 motorway in the Lower Franconian district of Bad Kissingen and were reportedly towed out of the way during the night.
As of early Friday morning, emergency response centres across the federal states reported relative calm on the roads with not too many accidents. In some places, bus traffic had been suspended for Friday as a precaution.
READ ALSO: What drivers in Germany need to know about staying safe in snowy conditions
Transport
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has warned about delays and train cancellations in long-distance traffic, and disruptions in regional services in the north, until Saturday.
"Please check if you can postpone your trip," reads a statement on DB's website. All passengers who had purchased a ticket for a train within the period from January 7th until January 10th, who wish to postpone their trip due to winter weather can use their ticket at a later date, DB has announced.
In this case, your previous ticket would be valid for travel to the original destination, even if you travelled by a different route. Seat reservations can also be freely cancelled, and in some cases tickets could be refunded entirely.
READ ALSO: When passengers in Germany can claim refunds for trains cancelled by storms
As of Friday morning DB has announced cancelled trains on the following long distance routes:
- Copenhagen - Hamburg
- Westerland/Kiel - Hamburg
- Binz/Stralsund/Rostock - Berlin
- Norddeich/Emden - Hanover / Ruhr Area
- Hanover - Berlin
- Hanover - Frankfurt / Würzburg
- Hanover - Ruhr Area
- Berlin - Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe
Deutsche Bahn has mobilised more than 14,000 employees to clear snow from tracks and platforms.
Ferry traffic on the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony has also largely come to a standstill. Several islands are currently not accessible by ship - including Langeoog, Spiekeroog, Norderney and Wangerooge.
In air travel, Hamburg Airport has warned passengers to check their flight status regularly.
"Due to the ongoing extreme weather conditions, there are restrictions and delays in air traffic," read an alert on the airport's website on Friday morning. Travellers are advised to contact the airport directly with any questions about affected flights.
The winter weather had not led to disruptions for flights to or from Frankfurt as of Friday morning. A spokesperson for the Frankfurt Airport told DPA, that the weather situation was being monitored carefully. Since Thursday night de-icing operations were in effect.
School closures
It's a snow day, or schneefrei as its known in German, at least for some students -- mainly for those at schools in Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Bremen and parts of Schleswig-Holstein.
In some cases there is distance learning in place, or emergency care available for younger children. The reason for the closure is often that school buses are not running and that traveling to or from school presents hazards.
In regions in Bavaria, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg and Berlin, some face-to-face lessons are also cancelled or parents can excuse their children from lessons. Daycare centres and kindergartens are also affected in places.
With reporting by DPA and AFP.
Comments