Snow and Lasting Frost Expected to Continue in Germany, DWD warns

The wintry cold will persist in Germany for the next few days. Especially in the northern half of the country, low-pressure systems will bring moist air, which could produce occasional snow showers, according to the German Weather Service. - AFP

Germany is set to remain in wintry conditions in the coming days, with continued cold weather expected nationwide. According to the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach, low-pressure systems will bring moist air to the northern half of the country, leading to recurring snow showers. In southern regions, more sunshine is forecast. Over the weekend, snow and ice caused numerous accidents, some of them fatal.

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With few exceptions, the DWD says persistent frost will continue in the days ahead. As a result, accumulated snow is unlikely to melt, a situation welcomed by winter sports enthusiasts but one that will also keep many roads and walkways slippery. Milder air is expected to arrive in the second half of the week, bringing an end to the prolonged frost.

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Since Friday, icy and snowy conditions have caused widespread disruption across Germany, affecting both road traffic and rail services. Police and fire departments reported hundreds of accidents. Most involved rear-end collisions or vehicles sliding into parked cars, trees, or house walls. In many cases, the damage was limited to property, but several incidents resulted in injuries and fatalities.

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In the town of Zwönitz in the eastern state of Saxony, two cars collided on Saturday after one vehicle skidded on an icy road. A 43-year-old driver later died in hospital from severe injuries, police in Chemnitz said on Sunday. One woman was seriously injured, while two other people suffered minor injuries. In the Unterallgäu region of Bavaria, a pedestrian was struck by a snowplow’s blade on a district road. The man fell and was taken to hospital with injuries, according to police. In Wuppertal, a snow-clearing and gritting vehicle tipped over on an embankment and came to rest on its side, with the driver taken to hospital injured.

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Winter weather also disrupted long-distance rail services in northern Germany, leading to delays and cancellations. Regional train services were affected as well.

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