Heavy snowfall and icy conditions disrupted air travel, rail services, and roadways across the UK and Germany, prompting warnings and widespread delays.
A powerful winter storm blanketed parts of the UK and Germany with heavy snowfall and icy conditions over the weekend, causing significant disruption to air travel, rail services, and road networks. Authorities across both countries scrambled to respond to the challenging weather.
UK Airports Face Closures and Delays
In the UK, snow and ice forced several airports to temporarily shut their runways. Manchester Airport was among the hardest hit, closing its runways on Sunday morning to clear snow before reopening around 9:45 a.m. local time. Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport also halted operations briefly, resuming service at 10:15 a.m. Newcastle International Airport experienced widespread disruptions as heavy snowfall impacted flight schedules.
Birmingham Airport shut down for several hours overnight to allow crews to clear the runways, resuming operations by Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Bristol Airport faced closures on Saturday evening due to severe weather, with the airport warning passengers of potential delays into Sunday.
The UK Met Office issued snow and ice warnings across Northern Ireland, much of Scotland, and large swathes of central and northern England. Additionally, a yellow rain warning was in effect for most of Wales. National Highways issued a severe weather alert, urging road users to travel with caution.
German Airports Battle Snow and Ice
Germany’s major airports also struggled under the weight of the heavy snowfall. Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, canceled 120 flights out of its planned 1,090 on Sunday as crews worked to clear runways and deal with reduced visibility. Munich Airport faced similar challenges, with operations restricted to a single runway. On Saturday, 35 flights were canceled, and approximately 750 flights were rescheduled to Sunday due to the weather.
At Stuttgart Airport, prolonged de-icing procedures delayed many flights, while in Cologne, up to 10 centimeters of fresh snow added to the difficulties. Germany’s weather service issued black ice warnings, urging residents to limit travel. Road conditions deteriorated sharply, leading to a rise in accidents, many of which were attributed to drivers using summer tires on snow-covered roads.
Authorities Urge Caution Amid Severe Weather
Officials in both countries emphasized the importance of caution during the adverse conditions. Travelers were advised to check flight statuses and road conditions before starting their journeys. In the UK, the Met Office and National Highways stressed the need for extra preparation and patience on snowy and icy roads. German authorities echoed these warnings, recommending that residents stay home unless travel was absolutely necessary.
The weekend’s severe winter weather highlighted the vulnerabilities of transportation systems to extreme conditions, underscoring the importance of proactive measures and infrastructure resilience to ensure public safety and minimize disruption.
The post Devastating New Snowstorm Paralysis: Winter Weather Wreaks Havoc on Travel in UK and Germany appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
