Agency Report
Berlin – All long-distance train services in northern Germany were halted on Friday as the country braces for more unusually cold weather and significant snowfall from Storm Elli.
In addition, all rail transport in the greater Hanover area has been suspended until at least midday (1100 GMT), rail operator Deutsche Bahn announced.
“This means that one of our most important hubs is affected and long-distance transport in northern Germany is no longer possible,” it said.
The shutdown was necessary to protect passengers, employees and vehicles, it said.
Delays and train cancellations should be expected until Saturday, Deutsche Bahn said.
Storm Elli is dumping more snow as it moves in from the west and across Germany. Severe weather warnings are in place for large parts of northern Germany and schools in many regions are closed.
The German Weather Service (DWD) has warned citizens about icy and snow-covered roads, and in a number of cities, bus services were cancelled. Many roads were quieter than usual because many drivers had stayed at home.
Across northern areas near the sea, there could be about 10-15 centimetres of snowfall, the DWD said. In the south, heavy rain is more likely.
DWD meteorologist David Menzel said on Friday that it was not such exceptional weather: “It’s a wintry storm and – if you look at the big picture – nothing particularly unusual.”
So far, the weather has not had a major impact on operations at Germany’s biggest air traffic hub, Frankfurt Airport. There were no restrictions on take-offs and landings in the early morning.
The weather warnings forced the cancellation of the governing Christian Democrats’ first party meeting of the year in Mainz in western German.
Storm Elli is expected to unleash its full force on Friday, before losing strength and moving east on Saturday.
