Widespread School Closures in Lower Saxony Due to hazardous Winter Weather
As of January 29, 2026, at 6:49 a.m. local time, school lessons have been canceled across multiple districts in Lower Saxony, Germany, due to treacherous weather conditions. The cancellations impact the districts of Grafschaft Bentheim, Emsland, and Osnabrück, as well as the city of Osnabrück itself, with general schools shuttered and vocational schools transitioning to distance learning.
The decision to close schools stems from predictions of extreme slipperiness this morning, coupled with limited winter maintenance services, especially in the outskirts of municipalities. According to a statement released by the Emsland district, the cancellations where made in consultation with contracted bus companies to ensure student safety. Distance learning is in effect at vocational schools throughout the affected areas, with the exception of the St. Franziskus Lingen Academy.
In the Grafschaft Bentheim district, the closures extend to general schools, including the Bardel Mission High school. However, the three vocational schools in Nordhorn will continue instruction via distance learning, mirroring the approach taken across the district.
The disruptions extend beyond these areas. On Wednesday, heavy snowfall prompted the cancellation of classes at both general and vocational schools in the Vechta district, with school buses also suspended. This wave of closures follows a similar pattern earlier in the week,with widespread cancellations reported on Monday in the districts of Celle,Gifhorn,Hameln-Pyrmont,Helmstedt,and Friesland,again with a shift to distance learning for many vocational institutions.
The challenging conditions have also impacted transportation networks. “In many places there were problems with buses and trains on Monday due to cold and snow,” a senior official stated. Notably, a light rail derailed in Hanover, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Recognizing the potential dangers, the Lower Saxony Ministry of Culture has issued guidance allowing parents to exercise discretion. Even without an official district-level cancellation, guardians of students in grades 1 to 10 can keep their children home if they fear unreasonable risk due to the extreme weather conditions on the commute to school.
Several districts are facing limitations in their ability to fully clear roads, with spreading efforts focused on selected streets. In some municipalities, citizens are now permitted to utilize sandboxes to improve local conditions.
A video report from NDR 1 Lower Saxony, broadcast on January 28, 2026, provides a comprehensive overview of the situation (15 mins). Another video details the onset of winter conditions in Lower Saxony, showcasing the snow and slippery roads at the beginning of the week (1 min). A third video focuses specifically on the impact in celle, where school closures and temporary bus service suspensions were implemented (2 min).
Homeowners in Lower Saxony are reminded of their responsibility to clear snow from walkways, as failure to do so can result in financial penalties. Authorities also recommend adopting a “penguin walk” – a flat-footed, shuffling gait – to minimize the risk of falls on icy surfaces. Hundreds of accidents have already been reported across Lower Saxony due to the slippery roads, as explained by Tim Staeger in a recent report.
The disruptions have extended to two consecutive days of canceled face-to-face teaching in Lower Saxony, though distance learning has not been
