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Status: 05.02.2021 8:02 pm
The people of the country have to prepare for a snowstorm on the weekend like they have not seen in a long time. It becomes particularly intense in central and southern Lower Saxony.
“The effects of this meteorological situation will be dramatic,” a spokesman for the German Weather Service (DWD) said on Friday afternoon. In affected areas, people must be prepared for a power outage or that it will be impossible to leave the house due to black ice. “It starts to oscillate from Saturday in the second half of the day,” said Franz Molé, director of the DWD’s forecasting and advisory center. Then heavy snowfall and snowdrifts can hit the area from Emsland to southern Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. In the south, the risk of black ice is particularly high.
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Heavy snowfall on Sunday night
Most of the snow will fall Sunday night and Sunday morning, DWD meteorologists predict. By Sunday morning they expect 6 to 10 inches of fresh snow, locally even up to 12 inches. Over the course of Sunday, the snowfall gradually lessened. In general, it is possible for snow to be 10 to 16 inches deep at night. In addition to the large amounts of snow, the DWD anticipates strong to stormy easterlies, which can lead to snow accumulations. Therefore, meteorologists warn of the risk of storms. Also, temperatures drop: on Monday night, minus 4 to minus 11 degrees are possible. Downward trend.
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Drivers must bring blankets and hot drinks.
In affected areas, people should avoid driving. Those who have to get into the car are advised by the Emsland Fire Department to bring thick clothing, blankets and a thermos with a hot drink. If you get stuck in a snowdrift, at least they take care of you. Meanwhile, all 14 motorways and 50 road maintenance depots in Lower Saxony have equipped their vehicles with snow plows. In some places the staff has already been increased. Also, there is enough road salt, as a spokeswoman for Federal Highway GmbH said. Because there has been less frost in recent years, the aisles are well packed.
Deutsche Bahn, erixx and Co. offer flexible use of tickets
Expected snow masses and black ice can also cause considerable restrictions on rail traffic. the Deutsche Bahn and private railways metronome, enno und erixx will warn about train delays and cancellations in northern Germany from Saturday afternoon. Before starting their journey, customers should learn more about the company’s apps, websites, and social media channels. Deutsche Bahn offers travelers the option of using tickets booked for this weekend flexibly for the next week or canceling them for free. Tickets for metronom, enno and erixx that have already been purchased for this weekend will remain valid until Sunday, February 14, a spokesperson announced.
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Limited ferry service on the East Frisian islands
Also, due to the strong east wind, many fall on weekends. Ferries to the East Frisian Islands. The reason for this is that the wind is pushing the water out of the Wadden Sea and the boats are no longer deep enough. Among other things, the ferries to Juist and Wangerooge are canceled. According to the shipping company, there may also be delays and cancellations in ferry traffic to the island of Norderney. Also, ferries to Langeoog on Sunday may be canceled due to bad weather, on Saturday departures will be postponed. Ferry traffic to the islands of Borkum, Spiekeroog and Baltrum may also be affected.
Telecommunications disruption is feared
In addition to traffic problems, there is also the threat of electrical and network failures due to broken lines. “Looking ahead to the next few days, we have a higher alert level and various line reservations and we are also in contact with other network operators,” a Tennet spokesperson said. In the event that lines are damaged, Tennet can compensate for the damage by making backup reservations through other lines. Grid operators such as Avacon and Oldenburg regional power provider EWE are also preparing. Avacon is concerned that large amounts of snow and freezing rain could put pressure on the networks at the same time.
Heating buses and emergency homeless shelters
In order to offer the homeless warmth and protection, Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe increasingly deploys its cold buses in Hannover and Oldenburg, for example. Helpers distribute hot drinks and food, clothing, blankets, pharmacy supplies, and masks. In the state capital, the centrally located market church will also be used as emergency accommodation starting Sunday night, as the City’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Association announced on Friday. The offer should be initially valid until February 14.
Possible dropout on Monday
Since the DWD has announced more drift snowfall for Monday night, this could affect schools on Monday as well. The Nienburg district has already indicated that voluntary face-to-face teaching in elementary schools and final classes could become family counseling. In this case, however, there must be emergency care. The district may not decide until early Monday morning whether or not classroom lessons can take place.
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A weird weather situation like 1978/79
According to meteorological experts, the reason for the onset of winter is the air mass limits that lie exactly above the north. Cold air comes to us from Scandinavia, while significantly warmer and more humid air flows from the south. It’s a rare weather situation, said Andreas Friedrich of the German Weather Service. The situation is similar in Winter 1978/79 given – during the snow catastrophe. DWD will monitor the situation and issue warnings if necessary.
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