(Commonwealth_Europe) On Sunday, heavy snow and freezing rain caused widespread disruptions across Europe, particularly severe in the UK and Germany, as several major airports were forced to suspend flights. The UK expected the inclement weather, which had already begun to affect much of the region, to persist throughout the day. As a result, there were growing concerns that rural communities, especially in the north of England, could become isolated due to impassable roads and severe snow accumulation.
In northern areas of the UK, snow up to 40 centimeters was expected to accumulate on the ground above 300 meters, with the Met Office issuing warnings for sleet and snow, which were predicted to continue pushing north through the day. As the weather worsened, the country’s south saw freezing rain, which occurs when super-cold rain freezes upon contact, causing icy conditions. However, the freezing rain was expected to turn milder later.
The heavy snowfall and freezing rain led to power outages across various parts of the UK. The National Grid, responsible for overseeing the country’s electricity network, worked tirelessly to restore power to affected regions. The company’s live map revealed power cuts in several crucial areas, such as Birmingham, Bristol, and Cardiff. A chaotic transport situation compounded these outages. Both Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport were forced to temporarily close their runways due to the hazardous weather conditions, but both airports managed to reopen by late Sunday morning. However, the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport, deemed unsafe for takeoffs and landings, remained closed in the morning.
Many people expected to travel home after the Christmas and New Year holidays, which heavily impacted the transportation network. Many families were returning from festive gatherings, and students were heading back to their universities. Local authorities had preemptively closed several roads to prevent accidents; despite this, stranded vehicles and accidents caused significant disruption elsewhere. The severe weather also forced numerous cancellations on the rail network, with National Rail advising of continuing disruptions that were expected to last into the following workweek.
In addition to the snow, southern parts of the UK faced the added threat of flooding. The Environment Agency had issued eight flood warnings for regions along the River Taw and River Avon in southern England, adding to the growing list of weather-related issues. The Met Office warned that sleet and snow would be particularly heavy in northern England and southern Scotland, creating significant hazards for both drivers and pedestrians.
Germany also faced similar winter weather challenges, with snow and ice sweeping across the country. Authorities issued black ice warnings, advising people to stay home where possible to avoid accidents. Frankfurt Airport, one of the busiest in the country, had to cancel around 120 of its scheduled flights, with significant disruptions to takeoffs and landings. Munich Airport fared slightly better, with only one runway open due to snow clearing. The weather also caused travel chaos on the roads, with a bus accident in Baden-Württemberg resulting in injuries. Eight people were injured when the bus skidded off the road near the town of Hemmingen, underscoring the dangerous conditions. In the Frankfurt area, long-distance trains also experienced irregularities, adding to the travel disruption.
Elsewhere in Europe, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam was not immune to the snowstorm. Workers scrambled to clear the snow from the airport’s runways, resulting in the cancellation of a total of 70 flights and several delays. Despite efforts to restore operations by midday, officials warned that further delays were likely, especially as the snow continued to fall.
As the winter weather continued to unfold, both the UK and Germany faced a protracted battle to restore normalcy to transportation and infrastructure. With more snow expected and freezing conditions persisting, authorities across Europe warned of additional disruptions in the days to come, urging people to stay home where possible and remain cautious while traveling. The situation highlighted the challenges posed by extreme weather, as European nations grappled with the twin threats of heavy snowfall and freezing rain.