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Status: 09/02/2021 6:46 am
It continues to snow heavily in parts of northern Germany. Severe weather advisories apply to Ostholstein and Rügen. Even more snow is coming in southern Lower Saxony. Rail traffic is restricted throughout the north and some roads are closed.
While until yesterday in many places it seemed that winter weather was causing problems mainly in southern Lower Saxony, it is now clear that much of the rest of northern Germany will not emerge unscathed. The snow in Schleswig-Holstein is spreading from Fehmarn to Heide during the day, meteorologist Frank Böttcher said in an interview with NDR Info: “In some places it can measure up to four inches.” Also in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it is not only snowdrifts on Rügen: “There is more to come. 20 centimeters of fresh snow and four inches in the Darß.” Last night a few inches of snow fell in Hamburg.
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According to Böttcher’s forecast, northern Lower Saxony receives very little. It’s cold, especially in southern Lower Saxony: “We expect the lowest temperatures Tuesday to Wednesday in southern Lower Saxony. It can drop to minus 25 degrees here. For the entire north, the meteorologist expects permafrost for the next seven days.
Snow creates new obstacles to traffic
Sometimes the snow in Lower Saxony is already between 30 and 50 centimeters high. Snowdrifts continue to occur on many roads, including highways. Currently, a traffic jam has formed on the A7 between Dreieck Drammetal and Nörten-Hardenberg because many truck drivers had to stop their vehicles due to snowfall. The highway police had to wake up the drivers who had gone to sleep due to the long wait. A hot beverage supply station will be installed in a parking lot, police said. There are traffic jams at various places on the A2 due to salvage work, for example between Lauenau and Bad Eilsen in the direction of Dortmund. In the opposite direction, behind the state border in North Rhine-Westphalia, a traffic jam of more than 30 kilometers in length formed between the Bielefeld interchange and the Bad Oeynhausen interchange due to damaged trucks. Some state and district roads in northern Germany are closed or are not passable. You can know the current situation on the streets around the clock in the NDR traffic service.
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Severe weather warning for Ostholstein and Rügen
Not only in Lower Saxony, but also in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg is warned of slipping. In the north of Schleswig-Holstein, especially in the district of Schleswig-Flensburg, there were snowdrifts. This also annoyed motorists on the Baltic island of Rügen (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). There and in Ostholstein and its surroundings in Schleswig-Holstein there will likely be a storm warning throughout Tuesday due to snow masses and expected currents.
The so-called lake effect is responsible for snowfall: the gusts bring moisture from the lake, which falls on the land in the form of snow. According to meteorological experts, this also explains why large amounts of snow fall in some parts of the country and not others.
Storm surge warning lifted for the German Baltic coast
It was still very windy, especially on the coast. Hydrodienst Hamburg announced yesterday issued a storm surge warning for the Baltic Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein – it rose last night. In Lübeck and Travemünde water from the Trave spilled over its banks on Monday afternoon. Floods were also to be expected in Rügen and in Greifswald and Stralsund.
Restrictions on rail traffic persist
More than one train was stopped by heavy snowfall.
Regional and long-distance traffic is slowly recovering. “Unfortunately, we still expect restrictions on Tuesday,” said a spokeswoman for the Deutsche Bahn on Monday. I’m still doing it icy spots, frozen overhead lines and snowdrifts, many stretches are impassable. Deutsche Bahn advised travelers to find out about internet connections before starting their trip. Even with the Rail direct line (0 8000) 99 66 33 there is information on the current situation.
Even with rail operators metronome, enno und erixx, the traffic situation was still tense last night. Individual trains were able to run again, but with delays.
Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer called on citizens of northern and central Germany to refrain from traveling until at least Wednesday. “In such extreme conditions, even the best heating point and the best cleaning vehicle can reach their limits,” the CSU politician told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
Ferry traffic to the North Sea islands is severely restricted
Due to the strong east wind, many ferries to the East Frisian islands are canceled, even today. Among other things, the ferries to Baltrum and Wangerooge are affected. There are also restrictions on ferry traffic to the North Frisian Islands. Passengers are strongly advised to inquire about current cancellations and postponements online at the transportation company’s website before beginning their journey.
Scandlines can also cancel trips
the The ferry transport company Scandlines canceled all trips between Rostock and the Danish Gedser for Monday due to the strong storm from the east. Ferry traffic between Puttgarden and Rødby was maintained. The ferry service between Rügen and Hiddensee has also been suspended for the time being.
School dropouts in Lower Saxony today too
In most schools in Lower Saxony, face-to-face classes have been canceled for today. Districts reported this almost nationally, with the exception of the upstate. The failure affects general education schools and vocational schools, he said. Emergency care is guaranteed. Closing schools does not mean there are no lessons, homeschooling is taking place. You can find an overview of the affected regions here.
Danger to life – ice surfaces still not holding
Even if it can be tempting: under no circumstances should you step on the ice, warned meteorologist Böttcher. The ice is still very thin, despite the low temperatures. Practical tip: people should bring the drink cases, beer bottles explode at these temperatures. You should also drain and close the outside water taps. Exercising outside can also be dangerous when it’s very cold. When you go outside, there is a welcome side effect in times of pandemic: a mask also protects the face from the cold.
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