BERLIN/HAMBURG/HANNOVER (dpa-AFX) - Winter storm "Elli" is sweeping across Germany, bringing heavy snow. In response, Deutsche Bahn has suspended long-distance train services in northern Germany.
All rail traffic in the greater Hannover area has been halted until at least midday, the railway company announced: "This affects one of our most important hubs and makes long-distance travel in northern Germany impossible." The suspension is necessary to protect passengers, staff, and vehicles. Deutsche Bahn also stated it would provide assistance to travelers at stations. In Hannover, special waiting trains are being made available.
Ice and Accidents:
Many roads and additional rail links nationwide are also affected. The German Weather Service warns of icy and snow-covered roads in numerous regions. In several cities, bus services have been suspended as a precaution. On some roads in western Germany, traffic was unusually light early in the morning, as many drivers stayed home due to warnings about icy conditions.
Significant disruptions are reported on multiple highways: In eastern Hesse, according to the police headquarters, three highways are blocked in both directions—the A7, A4, and A5. The reason, according to a spokesperson, is trucks that have become stuck or are blocking the lanes. "The problem is heavy goods traffic," the spokesperson said. Truck drivers are being urged to leave the highways and head to rest areas. Snowplows and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief are in operation.
Around two dozen trucks became stuck on the snow-covered A7 in the Lower Franconian district of Bad Kissingen. According to a police spokesperson, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) was called out overnight to tow them free. A burning truck caused traffic disruptions on the A2 near Garbsen, close to Hannover. The reason the truck spun out and caught fire on the icy road was initially unclear. Near Calw in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a public bus slid down an embankment, resulting in minor injuries to three people, according to local police.
Weather Situation:
"I would not classify this as a once-in-a-century event. It is definitely not that," said DWD meteorologist David Menzel in the morning. "It's a typical winter storm and—looking at the bigger picture—nothing particularly extraordinary." Nevertheless, severe weather warnings from the weather service remain in effect for large parts of Germany, especially for the north and the central uplands.
The DWD forecast "snowfall moving in from the southwest, in some cases heavy," spreading as far as the Elbe. With strong easterly winds, drifting snow is possible, which could cause major disruptions to transportation. In southern and western Germany, snow is expected to turn to rain—also accompanied by strong, but southwesterly, winds. This will make conditions extremely slippery.
From the North Sea to the east, up to 10 to 15 centimeters of new snow could accumulate in many areas. The German Weather Service expects the most snow in the so-called windward slopes of the central uplands. On the sides of mountains facing the wind, up to 20 centimeters of new snow may fall.
And: "A large portion of the snow will fall within three to six hours—localized severe weather!" according to the DWD. Snowfall is expected to gradually subside in the afternoon and evening.
Rail Traffic:
Deutsche Bahn expects delays and cancellations in long-distance services to be possible until Saturday. Travelers are advised to postpone their journeys if possible. Tickets already purchased can be used at a later date. In some places, services have been preemptively canceled.
Bahn spokesperson Achim Stauß told "ZDF-Morgenmagazin" that safety remains the top priority for the railway. "Of course, we do not want to send trains out in unsafe conditions where they might not reach their destination or be unable to return," he said. In such cases, it is better to keep the train at the station.
Air Traffic:
The winter weather initially had no major impact on operations at Frankfurt Airport. Early in the morning, there were no restrictions on takeoffs and landings.
The weather situation will continue to be monitored closely throughout the day, especially with regard to the wind. "We will make decisions as the situation develops," a spokesperson for Germany's largest airport said. On Thursday, about 200 aircraft had to be de-iced at the country's biggest airport due to the winter weather. Twenty-five de-icing vehicles were in operation—"routine winter operations," according to Fraport.
Ferry Services:
Ferry traffic along the Lower Saxony North Sea coast has largely come to a standstill. Several islands are currently unreachable by ship—including Langeoog, Spiekeroog, Norderney, and Wangerooge. The main problem is the expected strong easterly wind. It pushes water away from the coast, making it impossible or only partially possible for ferries to operate.
Schools:
Snow days, at least for some students: In Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Bremen, and parts of Schleswig-Holstein, regular school operations have been suspended across the board. According to the responsible authorities, there is partial remote learning and emergency childcare for younger children. The main reason for the closures is that school buses are not running and safe travel cannot be guaranteed.
In some regions of Bavaria, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Berlin, in-person classes have also been canceled or parents can excuse their children from attendance. In some places, daycare centers and kindergartens are also affected./may/DP/jha
