People in Germany today have to prepare for heavy snowfalls and black ice – and corresponding traffic problems. Heavy snowfall and extreme black ice are expected, especially in the middle and south of the country, as the German Weather Service (DWD) announced. The effects will also be felt in rail and air traffic.
The meteorologists warned of an extreme risk of black ice in the southwest and widespread black ice in the southern half. They predicted heavy snowfall for western and central Germany. It is also expected to snow in the central parts of the country and in the east during the day, as the warning report said. Significant impacts on the infrastructure are expected.
More than 500 flights canceled at Frankfurt Airport
Numerous flights are canceled at Frankfurt Airport due to warnings about snow and slippery conditions. As a Fraport spokeswoman announced this morning, 570 of the 1,047 planned flights had already been canceled in advance. It is still unclear whether more will be added, as we first want to wait and see how the weather develops. Passengers are advised to find out about their flights from the airlines in advance and not to come to the airport if they are canceled.
The announced snowfall and freezing rain in the south and west of Germany also has an impact on air traffic at Berlin’s capital airport BER. For today, 20 flights to and from Frankfurt have been canceled (10 take-offs and 10 landings each) as well as 10 flights to and from Munich (5 take-offs and 5 landings each), as an airport spokeswoman said. Passengers who want to go to Frankfurt or Munich were asked to regularly check their flight status.
More than 250 flights canceled at Munich Airport
The weather conditions with freezing rain and slippery conditions are also causing cancellations at Munich Airport. Of around 650 planned take-offs and landings, more than 250 flights were canceled, a spokeswoman said this morning.
According to the provisional status, the remaining aircraft should take off or land as planned. According to the airport, whether it stays that way depends on further developments. According to the spokeswoman, the winter service is supposed to ensure that a runway is always open. Nationwide restrictions on rail traffic
Rail travelers also have to adapt to restrictions nationwide. According to a spokeswoman, the railway is preparing “intensively” for the announced weather conditions. According to the railway, employees in the affected regions were ready, 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. In addition, the train connection for long-distance journeys was lifted.
Smooth roads in Baden-Württemberg
There were the first accidents in southwest Germany this morning due to slippery roads. At first it was mostly just sheet metal damage. The police registered around 30 accidents in the south of Baden-Württemberg alone. A spokesman said two people were slightly injured. The districts of Konstanz, Rottweil and Tuttlingen are particularly affected.
According to the police, there were also many accidents due to black ice in Freiburg. So far, the majority of traffic accidents have resulted in sheet metal damage, it is said. “Emergency forces are increasingly deployed to secure accident scenes and provide injured people with help as quickly as possible.”
School cancellations in 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, the school cancellation affects numerous districts. These include, for example, Altötting, Tirschenreuth and Ansbach. Information about this should be requested from the schools themselves.
