Freezing rain disrupts travel, schools across western Germany
Meteorologists described the situation as a major ice emergency, with rain freezing instantly upon hitting cold surfaces. The German Weather Service issued its second highest alert level, advising drivers to avoid journeys unless absolutely necessary. Those who had to travel were urged to keep vehicles fully fueled and carry blankets and hot drinks in case of delays.
Schools in North Rhine Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bremen remained shut, with students continuing lessons online. “This is not a school holiday,” Education Minister Dorothee Feller said, stressing that remote learning was introduced to prevent injuries on dangerous roads.
Traffic slowed dramatically on motorways in North Rhine Westphalia, Rhineland Palatinate, and Hesse, with multiple accidents reported in the Sauerland region. Rail services also suffered, as Deutsche Bahn reduced speeds on key routes linking Hannover to Frankfurt, Wolfsburg to Berlin, and Cologne to Frankfurt.
At Frankfurt Airport, 102 of the day’s 1,052 scheduled flights were canceled, and officials warned that the number could rise as conditions worsened. Passengers were advised to check flight updates, allow extra travel time, and arrive at least three hours before departure.
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