Dangerous Black Ice Threat Persists in Eastern Germany, Disrupting Travel and Schools
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A severe weather system continues to grip eastern and southeastern Germany, with dangerous conditions from black ice and freezing rain expected to persist into Tuesday. While western regions are experiencing a thaw, residents in the east are bracing for continued disruption to travel, school schedules, and daily life.
Eastern Germany Under Severe Weather Alert
Meteorologist Sabine Krüger from the German Weather Service (DWD) warned of an increased risk of freezing rain and black ice through the early hours of Tuesday, particularly in eastern and northeastern areas. The situation is exacerbated by rain turning to freezing rain overnight, creating treacherous conditions. “Therefore, black ice must be expected there from this evening onwards,” Krüger stated. The DWD has issued the second-highest severe weather warning level for black ice across large parts of eastern Germany, focusing on southeastern Bavaria and the northeast, from Mecklenburg to Brandenburg. Authorities are urging residents to avoid travel if possible, citing a “danger to life and limb.”
School Closures and Disruptions
The hazardous conditions have led to widespread school closures and altered schedules. In Brandenburg, compulsory attendance at schools has been lifted for Tuesday, allowing parents to decide whether to send their children to class. This follows similar measures in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bremen, where face-to-face teaching was canceled on Monday, with limited exceptions on the East Frisian Islands. Schools in Hesse and Bavaria, along with other federal states, also saw regular classes canceled, though many offered emergency childcare.
Despite the disruptions, officials emphasized the importance of continued learning. “It’s not a day off school – the students have to work,” emphasized a school minister from North Rhine-Westphalia on WDR, explaining the goal is to avoid dangerous commutes without suspending lessons entirely.
Travel Chaos and a Tragic Discovery
The icy conditions have caused significant travel disruptions. Roads were described as “glassy” in many areas Monday morning. Traffic slowed to a crawl on several motorways in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate during the morning rush hour, particularly on the A4 and A45 in the Sauerland region, and around Kassel in Hesse. Several accidents and traffic jams were reported as a result.
At Frankfurt Airport, approximately 100 flights were canceled Monday morning due to snow and black ice, with weather-related disruptions also impacting airports in Munich and Nuremberg. Regional rail transport faced restrictions in Lower Saxony and Hamburg, while long-distance trains reduced speed on certain routes.
Tragically, the body of a 40-year-old man was discovered in a pond in Wismar, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. According to police, a witness reported seeing the man taking an ice bath before disappearing.
“Gunda” System Responsible for the Freeze
The current hazardous conditions are attributed to a deep weather system dubbed “Gunda,” which initially brought snow from the west, followed by rain that is now freezing on contact with the cold ground. The system’s impact is particularly acute in the east, where temperatures plummeted overnight. Preliminary data from the DWD indicates a low of -19.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in both Sohland on the Spree in southern Saxony and Doberlug-Kirchhain in southern Brandenburg.
As milder air moves in from the west, the situation in western Germany is improving. However, the threat remains very real for communities in the east, demanding continued vigilance and caution.
