Heavy snow, freezing rain paralyze German transport, close schools and cancel flights

A severe winter storm swept across Germany on Monday, causing major transport disruptions, widespread accidents, and school closures. Freezing rain and heavy snowfall grounded flights, crippled rail services, and made roads treacherous, with authorities urging the public to avoid non-essential travel.

Transport Networks Grind to a Halt

At Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest hub, 79 of 1,035 scheduled flights were canceled as de-icing teams worked continuously. National railway operator Deutsche Bahn reported significant delays and cancellations on key routes, including Berlin–Hamburg and lines around Stuttgart and Frankfurt. In Berlin, all tram services were suspended due to frozen tracks and overhead lines, while bus and subway services experienced severe delays.

Hundreds of Accidents and School Closures

The icy conditions led to hundreds of traffic accidents nationwide, resulting in at least 16 injuries—five serious. In Baden-Württemberg, a connector between the A6 and A81 motorways near Stuttgart was temporarily closed after at least 15 trucks became stuck in snow overnight. Multiple states, including Bavaria and Lower Saxony, canceled school classes, with some districts switching to remote learning or providing emergency childcare.

Ongoing Weather Warnings

The German Weather Service warned that icy conditions from freezing rain were advancing toward southern and eastern regions. While snowfall is expected to ease on Tuesday, the risk of freezing wetness remains. Forecasters also cautioned that a new low-pressure system arriving Wednesday could bring further heavy snowfall, particularly to the state of Thuringia.