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Germany Reels: Storm Elli Halts Rail, More Snow Expected
11 Jan
Summary
- Northern German rail services resumed Saturday but face continued disruptions.
- Key long-distance routes like Hamburg-Hanover-Frankfurt remain affected.
- Southern Germany braces for heavy snowfall, with freezing rain predicted Monday.
Germany saw some railway services restart on Saturday following the severe disruption caused by Storm Elli, which had halted services across the north. However, significant restrictions on long-distance travel are expected to continue until Sunday, impacting vital routes such as the Hamburg-Hanover-Frankfurt and Berlin-Hanover-Dusseldorf links. Other international routes to Denmark and the Netherlands also remain suspended.
While regional services were anticipated to gradually resume, many areas are still experiencing a lack of operational trains and buses. The storm brought heavy snow drifts and numerous accidents to northern and eastern Germany. The southern regions, initially spared, are now preparing for substantial snowfall overnight, particularly in the Black Forest and Allgäu areas.
Forecasters predict up to 30 centimeters of new snow in the south, with higher elevations in the Black Forest possibly receiving up to 50 centimeters. Looking ahead to Monday, freezing rain is expected across much of the country as temperatures slightly rise, posing a high risk of black ice in southwestern regions. This extreme winter weather is also impacting other European nations, with power outages in France and flight cancellations in Russia.
