A severe ice storm disrupted daily life across western Germany on Tuesday, forcing school closures, canceling over 100 flights at Frankfurt Airport, and causing major rail delays. Authorities warned that travel conditions were extremely hazardous.
The German Meteorological Service issued its second-highest level warning for large parts of the country as Storm Gunda brought freezing rain that turned roads and surfaces into treacherous ice. Meteorologists described the event as a widespread ice emergency.
Drivers were urged to avoid travel if possible and, if necessary, to carry full fuel, blankets, and warm drinks in case of emergencies.
Schools Move to Remote Learning
Schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bremen were closed, with students shifting to remote learning rather than taking an unscheduled day off. Dorothee Feller, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister of Education, told public broadcaster WDR, “This is not a school holiday. Classes are conducted remotely to ensure no one is injured traveling to school on dangerous roads.”
Road and Rail Disruptions
Several highways in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse experienced heavy slowdowns during the morning rush due to icy conditions. Multiple accidents were reported in the Sauerland region.
Rail services were also heavily affected. Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway operator, reduced speeds on several routes, including Hannover–Frankfurt, Wolfsburg–Berlin, and Cologne–Frankfurt, to maintain safety.
Airport Impact
Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, canceled 102 of the 1,052 scheduled flights. A Fraport spokesperson indicated that cancellations could increase as conditions deteriorate. Passengers were advised to check flight status in advance and allow extra travel time, with the airport recommending arrival at least three hours before departure.
