(de-news.net) – In conjunction with storm ‘Elli,’ the German Weather Service (DWD) has forecasted significant snowfall advancing from the southwest, with the snow front expected to extend as far as the Elbe River. The meteorological alert prompted the closure of numerous schools across affected areas, although authorities indicated that several federal states would likely experience only limited impact. The DWD subsequently rescinded its severe snow warning for Berlin and Brandenburg, explaining that while southern Brandenburg was still expected to receive several centimeters of new snow as initially projected, northern Brandenburg and the Berlin metropolitan area would experience considerably lower accumulations than had been predicted in earlier forecasts. North Rhine-Westphalia, by contrast, was largely spared the worst effects of the storm; nonetheless, authorities issued advisories for motorists to exercise heightened caution under hazardous conditions. Across a swath extending from the North Sea coast to eastern regions of the country, ten to fifteen centimeters of snow were projected, with the heaviest accumulations concentrated along the windward slopes of the central low mountain ranges, where totals of up to twenty centimeters were anticipated.
Rail transportation was significantly affected, particularly in northern Germany, where Deutsche Bahn temporarily suspended long-distance services. The Hanover hub, a key junction in the national rail network, remained closed until at least midday, with the company emphasizing that passenger, staff, and vehicle safety necessitated the measure. Officials warned that delays and service interruptions could persist through Saturday, and passengers were advised to postpone travel where possible, with existing tickets remaining valid for later journeys. The precautionary removal of roughly half of all trains on northern routes reflected the severity of operational constraints. Local authorities utilized information systems to communicate updates, and additional staff were deployed on-site to assist travelers and ensure safety.
Regional public transport in Lower Saxony was also disrupted. Bus services in Osnabrück were initially suspended, though operations were gradually resumed in some areas. In several northeastern districts, no bus services were running, while lines in Braunschweig and surrounding communities were either truncated, rerouted, or canceled due to snow-blocked streets. Both Oldenburg’s municipal services and Hannover’s S-Bahn network were halted, and in certain locations, substitute buses were unable to operate. Maritime transportation along the Lower Saxony North Sea coast was largely suspended, rendering several islands temporarily inaccessible. Officials cited strong east winds, which pushed water away from the shoreline, as the primary factor preventing normal ferry operations.
Air travel in major airports initially continued with minimal disruption. Frankfurt and Berlin-Brandenburg airports maintained routine operations, with only isolated flight cancellations, generally attributable to conditions at destination airports rather than local weather. Airport operators reported that wind and other meteorological conditions were continuously monitored throughout the day to ensure safety and operational continuity.
School closures extended across Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Bremen, and parts of Schleswig-Holstein, with authorities providing limited distance learning and emergency childcare services for younger children. Similar disruptions affected parts of Bavaria, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Berlin, where hazardous travel conditions led to partial or complete suspension of in-person instruction; in some locations, kindergartens and daycare centers were also impacted.
Employers emphasized that legal obligations for timely attendance were not suspended due to snowfall or icy road conditions. Employees remained responsible for monitoring weather conditions and planning their commuting routes accordingly, as general permission to work remotely during winter weather was not established. Nevertheless, companies were generally reported to exhibit flexibility, implementing internal procedures to accommodate staff absences or delays caused by extreme winter conditions, ensuring continuity of operations while safeguarding both employees and business interests.