Severe Winter Storms Hit Eastern and Southern Germany with Up to 25 cm Snow and Icy Roads

Germany faces a severe winter weather crisis starting Sunday evening, with the German Weather Service (DWD) issuing multiple warnings due to heavy snowfall and hazardous icy conditions impacting especially eastern and southern regions. Snowfall is forecast to accumulate up to 25 centimeters in southeastern parts of Baden-Württemberg and northern Franconia, with up to 20 centimeters expected in the Thüringer Wald. Meanwhile, eastern states including Saxony, Brandenburg, and Berlin face critical ice conditions due to freezing rain, posing significant risks to life and limb.

The DWD has categorized these weather developments under warnings ranging from level 1 (yellow) to level 4 (violet), with eastern Germany experiencing some of the highest severity warnings including life-threatening ice buildup. In response, authorities have cautioned the public to stay informed, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for hazardous conditions continuing into Monday morning.

Road safety is a major concern as numerous traffic accidents have already been reported. On Sunday evening, multiple collisions on the A8 highway towards Munich necessitated closures, and similar incidents occurred on the B14 and B28 roads due to icy and snowy conditions. The Stuttgarter Feuerwehr has deployed emergency vehicles equipped with snow chains to manage the emergency response.

Transport disruptions extend beyond roadways; train services on lines S1, S2, and S3 in Baden-Württemberg have been delayed, and Stuttgart airport has experienced flight cancellations and delays due to the snowfall. In Mitteldeutschland, bus services including school transports have been suspended, with the A4 motorway closed after an accident between Weimar and Apolda.

Meteorologist Markus Übel from DWD emphasized the severity, noting that the snowfall spreading from the Alps northward will severely affect Monday's morning rush hour. While western Germany west of the Rhine will remain relatively mild with temperatures between 2 and 7 degrees Celsius and little precipitation, eastern and southern regions must brace for significant disruptions.

Authorities and meteorologists urge residents to monitor weather updates regularly, heed warnings, and exercise extreme caution amid these severe winter conditions expected to persist into the early week.