Storm Elli Forces Widespread School Closures Across Germany Amid Severe Winter Weather

The powerful winter storm "Elli" has caused extensive school closures and disruptions across multiple German states on January 8, 2026, leading authorities to prioritize safety amid forecasts of snow, ice, and arctic temperatures.

In northern Germany, schools in several districts of Schleswig-Holstein, including Dithmarschen, Herzogtum Lauenburg, Nordfriesland, Pinneberg, Rendsburg-Eckernförde, Schleswig-Flensburg, Segeberg, Steinburg, and Stormarn, will remain closed. This applies to both general and vocational schools, as well as all support centers. Emergency care for grades 1 through 6 will be provided as needed. Alongside these closures, heavy snowfall has disrupted traffic and bus services.

Similarly, in Niedersachsen and Bremen, all schools are closed Friday due to unsafe conditions created by storm Elli. Safety concerns extended to school bus transport, which is largely unavailable. Ministerpräsident Olaf Lies urged the public to exercise caution and support vulnerable individuals, highlighting the dangers posed by freezing rain and expected double-digit negative temperatures.

Hamburg has also ordered full school closures, with special provisions for children up to grade 6, who can access learning materials or attend online classes from home. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern keeps schools open but has suspended student transportation in affected counties, allowing students to stay home without penalty if they cannot travel safely.

In Berlin and Brandenburg, children's attendance at school is optional for parents worried about weather hazards, with no unexcused absences recorded for those staying home. Thüringen's schools are set to make individual decisions on attendance, potentially shifting to distance learning.

Sachsen-Anhalt has seen numerous closures in districts such as Harz and Jerichower Land, while Bavaria faces a harsh mix of snow and freezing rain causing partial school closures and allowing parents to decide on attendance for safety.

Meteorological forecasts warn of arctic temperatures plummeting to -30 degrees Celsius in eastern regions and heavy snowfall, especially in northern parts, raising community-wide calls to avoid outdoor activities. The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK) advised residents against venturing outside unless absolutely necessary.

This extensive disruption highlights the unprecedented severity of storm Elli, prompting coordinated efforts across multiple German states to safeguard students and residents in the face of increasingly harsh winter conditions.