Germany Braces for Widespread Traffic Chaos Amidst Severe Winter Weather Warnings

Severe Weather Alerts Issued Across Germany

The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued comprehensive warnings for hazardous winter weather conditions expected to cause widespread traffic chaos across large parts of Germany. The alerts, primarily for Monday, January 26, 2026, highlight the risk of heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and dangerous black ice, urging residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel.

Meteorologist Markus Übel specifically warned of significant traffic disruption during the Monday morning rush hour due to snow-covered roads, anticipating delays and problems on both road and rail networks.

Regions Under Threat: Snow, Ice, and Freezing Rain

The DWD's warnings cover a broad geographical area, with different regions facing distinct threats:

• Southern Germany: Parts of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are forecast to experience heavy snowfall. Accumulations of 5 to 10 centimeters are expected in many areas, with some locations, particularly in a corridor stretching from eastern Baden-Württemberg to western and northern Franconia, potentially seeing up to 15 to 25 centimeters within 12 hours.
• Eastern Germany: A significant threat of dangerous black ice (Glatteis) is present in a strip extending from the Ore Mountains over Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Berlin to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This freezing rain is expected to create extremely slippery conditions on roads and pavements from Sunday evening into Monday.

Authorities in Berlin and Brandenburg have issued warnings of 'danger to life and limb' due to the high risk of black ice, particularly as rain and moisture could suddenly freeze on already frozen ground.

Anticipated Disruptions to Travel and Public Life

The severe weather is already leading to considerable disruptions. In the Wittenberg district of Saxony-Anhalt, public transport services, including school transportation, have been suspended for Monday due to the extreme black ice warnings. Furthermore, several cultural sites, such as the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin and Sanssouci Palace and its surrounding park in Potsdam, will remain closed on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure visitor safety.

Road users are advised to be exceptionally vigilant, with the potential for accidents and prolonged traffic jams. The combination of snow and freezing rain on frozen surfaces creates treacherous conditions, making travel highly perilous.

Recent Precedent: Storm Elli's Impact

This latest round of winter warnings follows a period of significant weather events earlier in January. From January 9-11, 2026, Storm Elli (also known as Storm Goretti) swept across Germany, particularly affecting northern regions. This storm brought blizzard conditions, freezing rain, and hurricane-force gusts, leading to widespread paralysis.

During Storm Elli, airports in Hamburg, Düsseldorf, and Berlin experienced numerous flight cancellations and delays. Long-distance rail services were halted across northern Germany by Deutsche Bahn, and schools in cities like Hamburg and Bremen, as well as parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, were closed. Tragically, three fatalities were reported in northern Germany during the storm, and three people were slightly injured in Baden-Württemberg when a bus skidded on ice.

As Germany faces another day of challenging winter weather, authorities continue to urge the public to heed warnings, stay informed about local conditions, and prioritize safety.