“Full-blown storm situation” – Bahn cancels train connections, Lufthansa cancels flights
Several accidents after fresh snow and slippery conditions
Several centimeters of fresh snow and freezing temperatures led to many icy accidents overnight and in the morning. An all-clear from the German Weather Service is not in sight for the time being. It remains cold and further snowfall is expected in many regions.
The German Weather Service warns of snow, ice and slippery conditions in large parts of Germany on Wednesday. Lufthansa is canceling long- and short-haul connections in Munich and Frankfurt, and Deutsche Bahn is canceling train connections.
ZBy the middle of the week, people in large parts of Germany have to prepare for snow, ice and slippery conditions. The German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach warned of a “full-blown storm situation” for Wednesday.
According to the DWD, the federal states will be affected either in whole or in part Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Thuringia and Saxony. According to the DWD, in certain regions there is even a warning of an extreme storm; the possible effects include massive disruptions in road and rail traffic as well as damage to the infrastructure as a result of large ice loads on masts and buildings. Power outages are also possible.
Black ice and massive snowfalls
According to the weather service, rain was to be expected in the southwest from the second half of the night onwards, and by Wednesday evening it was expected to fall, especially south of the Main and Moselle massive black ice formation coming through freezing rain. From southern Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland to southern Hesse and northwestern Bavaria Rainfall amounts between 20 and 30 liters per square meter This can even result in “extreme ice build-up” on objects, overhead lines and trees.
At the same time, according to meteorologists, there are still areas in the middle of Germany massive snowfalls, some of which can also have a storm-like character. North of the Main should 15 to 30 centimeters of snow in 12 to 24 hours fall. This also threatened traffic disruptions and snowfall, it said.
Bahn will cancel train connections on Wednesday
Rail travelers have to prepare for restrictions nationwide. As a spokeswoman explained, they are preparing German railway “intensively” prepare for the announced weather conditions. Employees in the affected regions stood by, for example to clear switches or to ensure traffic safety at level crossings. Clearance vehicles and heavy locomotives are available at strategically important points in the rail network.
According to the railway, the Train connection on Wednesday lifted for all long-distance trains. Anyone who would like to postpone their trip due to the onset of winter can use their ticket at a later date, it said on the website.
Lufthansa only offers fuselage flight plans
The onset of winter is also likely to affect passengers: The Lufthansa only offers one on Wednesday Fuselage flight plan at. According to the airport’s specifications, only the most necessary flights will be able to be operated at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, a spokesman for the company said on Tuesday. Short routes as well as long routes would be canceled.
A Lufthansa plane is de-iced in Frankfurt on Tuesday
Source: dpa/Boris Roessler
Lufthansa asked customers to find out about the status of their respective flights before traveling to the airport. “If your flight is canceled and you do not have another confirmation for the same day, please do not come to the airport. There are no rebooking options there,” it said on the Lufthansa website. Customers should use the online services and hotlines for this.
Fraport, the operating company of the Frankfurt airport, explained that only severely limited air traffic could take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Passengers should inform themselves about their flights and not come to the airport if they are canceled. Saarbrücken Airport isn’t even opening today.
Schools remain closed in parts of Bavaria
In some districts of Bavaria, classes are canceled or take place from home due to the weather conditions. As the Ministry of Culture in Munich announced on Tuesday, the school cancellation affects numerous districts. These include, for example, Altötting, Tirschenreuth and Ansbach. Information about this should be requested from the schools themselves.
Fresh snow, freshening wind and snow showers
On Thursday night, the precipitation turns into snow from the Main towards the south. From Rhineland-Palatinate and southern Hesse to Thuringia and Saxony 5 to 10, locally up to 15 centimeters of fresh snow will fall. As the day progresses, snow continues to fall in the southeast half, initially rain in lower elevations, later snow there too. Otherwise there will be isolated snow showers, with breaks in between. The temperatures are between 0 and 4 degrees southwest they rise to up to 9 degrees by midday. There will also be weak to moderate winds, picking up in the south.
The DWD said Friday night Alps More snowfall ahead, heavy snow showers and short thunderstorms near the North Sea. There are expected to be further snow showers along the entire coast on Friday, with more than 10 centimeters of fresh snow falling in some places in a short space of time. Thunderstorms sometimes occur. Otherwise there will be a mix of sun and clouds and dry weather. The temperatures are between 0 and 4 degrees. Snow showers can still occur on the coast and in the eastern low mountain range on Saturday night, otherwise it will often be clear. It cools down to minus 2 to minus 8 degrees, in the mountains to below minus 10 degrees.