Winter Storm 'Elli' Causes Widespread Disruptions Across Germany

Germany is currently grappling with Winter Storm 'Elli,' which has brought extreme cold, heavy snowfall, and icy conditions to large regions of the country on January 9, 2026. Northern Germany is particularly affected, with severe weather warnings in place and temperatures feeling as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius due to strong winds. Many schools in the north have shifted to remote learning or closed entirely for safety reasons.

Train services, especially long-distance routes in northern Germany, have been suspended or delayed, and road traffic faces significant disruptions. In Hamburg, the Köhlbrand Bridge was closed, and bus services in Saarbrücken were canceled. An accident in Gehrde, Lower Saxony, tragically resulted in a fatality, underscoring the treacherous road conditions.

North Rhine-Westphalia has also seen substantial snowfall and hazardous weather, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel. In Schleswig-Holstein, schools in districts such as Dithmarschen and Nordfriesland remain closed, and regional train services are disrupted. Meanwhile, Kiel's concert hall reopens after extensive renovations unrelated to the storm, and a WWII bomb disposal operation in Wedel will temporarily affect 6,000 residents.

Across Germany, snowfall totals have reached over 20 centimeters in some areas, with accumulating snow impacting multiple regions for several days. Berlin and Brandenburg experienced less snowfall than initially forecasted, offering some relief to residents there. However, meteorologists warn that conditions could worsen, potentially causing further traffic chaos throughout Europe.

The ongoing storm situation presents a significant challenge for emergency and transport services as they manage the cascading effects of 'Elli' across the country.