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German Weather Service Warns of Widespread Hazardous Ice Conditions
The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) has issued a severe warning about a widespread ice storm affecting much of Germany starting Sunday night through Monday morning. The weather situation is caused by low-pressure system “Gunda,” which is bringing snow initially, followed by freezing rain as temperatures remain below freezing. This creates dangerous icy conditions on roads and sidewalks across large parts of the country, especially in western and southern regions, as well as the east.
According to meteorologist Oliver Reuter of the DWD, the ice hazard is expected to be “overregional and severe.” The warning is particularly in effect until about 10 a.m. on Monday, with forecasters expecting freezing rain to continue in some areas, such as Bavaria and eastern Germany, even into Tuesday. The southern and eastern mountain regions could see intense frost with temperatures dropping to between minus 10 and minus 15 degrees Celsius, heightening the risk of icy surfaces [Source 1][Source 3][Source 7].
Impact on Schools, Transportation, and Public Safety for Expats and Residents
Several federal states have already reacted to the forecast by closing schools on Monday to protect students from hazardous travel conditions, with North Rhine-Westphalia implementing distance learning for the day. Transport services are also affected; Deutsche Bahn has announced a reduced service offering due to the ice, though they do not anticipate a repeat of the severe disruptions experienced during the previous storm “Elli.” Nevertheless, regional rail and road traffic may still face difficulties, particularly in regions expected to see ongoing freezing rain [Source 1][Source 4][Source 6].
For expats, international students, and foreign workers in Germany, this means planning extra time for travel or possibly avoiding unnecessary journeys on Monday morning. Institutions such as schools and workplaces might be closed or operating remotely. It is recommended to monitor weather and local authority updates continuously. Expats should check with their educational institutions or employers for announcements regarding closures or changes in schedule. Additionally, those using public transportation should expect delays or cancellations and seek reliable travel information before commuting [Source 1][Source 6].
While the weather is expected to improve by Wednesday, with winter conditions receding, the immediate days will require caution. The DWD emphasizes increased risks of slips and falls on icy surfaces, and emergency services advise avoiding hazardous travel if possible. Those living in Germany should also prepare for potential power outages or interruptions in local services due to the severe ice [Source 1][Source 5].
For detailed updates and guidance, expats can refer to the Deutscher Wetterdienst website and local government communications. The original report from tagesschau provides frequent updates in German and links to official sources [Source 1].
