BRUSSELS — A powerful wave of extreme winter weather is sweeping across Europe, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and storms that have disrupted transportation networks and left local communities struggling to cope with the chaos.
In Germany, the winter weather led to widespread disruptions in air and rail travel over the weekend. At Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the number of arrivals was halved on Sunday evening due to the threat of sleet, with only 20 planes allowed to land per hour. Frankfurt Airport canceled 120 out of its 1,090 scheduled flights on Sunday, while Munich Airport was limited to one runway for much of the day, resulting in the rescheduling of 750 flights and the cancellation of 35 more as a precaution. Rail services across Germany, including in Frankfurt, also faced major delays and cancellations.
The Netherlands experienced similar disruptions on Sunday as heavy snowfall struck the region. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport canceled around 70 flights as icy conditions hampered airport operations. Snow-covered roads led to several accidents, further complicating the travel situation.
In Britain, snow and rain continued to disrupt transport on Monday, causing delays and cancellations of flights at airports and trains across the country. Many schools were closed, and widespread power outages were reported.
Ireland also faced severe weather, with over 34,000 homes left without electricity and 40,000 without water by Monday. Authorities closed schools and issued warnings about significant travel disruptions as repair crews worked around the clock to restore services.
In the Czech Republic, freezing rain and ice forced Prague International Airport to temporarily halt operations late Sunday. Numerous flights were delayed or canceled, and electric train services were suspended in several areas. Meteorologists have warned that hazardous weather conditions are expected to continue.
Croatia issued a yellow weather alert for central and mountainous regions due to heavy snow, ice, and intense rainfall. Road closures, traffic jams, and accidents created challenges for residents and travelers.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, authorities warned of snow, ice, and extreme cold weather, urging caution on icy roads. Snow chains were made mandatory for freight vehicles in certain areas to prevent accidents.
Romanian meteorologists extended a code yellow warning for strong winds in the Apuseni Mountains and Eastern Carpathians, with adverse weather conditions expected to persist until Wednesday.
Eastern Norway remains under an orange warning for heavy snow, with forecasts predicting prolonged snowfall. Major highways and mountain passes have been disrupted, and traffic incidents have been reported across the region. By midday Monday, more than 5,000 households were without electricity. Air traffic in southern and central Norway has also been heavily impacted, with multiple cancellations and delays.
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