Heavy snow and freezing rain wreaked havoc across Europe on Sunday, with significant disruption reported in the U.K. and Germany. Flights were suspended at major airports, roads became treacherous, and power outages left many without electricity.
In the U.K., heavy snow of up to 40 centimeters (15 inches) in higher areas—especially in northern England—raised concerns that rural communities could be cut off. The National Grid, responsible for the country’s electricity supply, reported outages across central and western England and Wales, with power restoration efforts underway in Birmingham, Bristol, and Cardiff.
Transport networks bore the brunt of the severe weather. Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport temporarily closed their runways, although they expected to reopen by late Sunday morning. Leeds Bradford Airport, however, remained closed.
Road travel was similarly affected, with local authorities preemptively closing several roads. Stranded vehicles and collisions caused further disruption as families and students attempted to return home after the holiday break. Rail services also faced cancellations, with National Rail warning that disruptions could extend into the workweek.
The Met Office, Britain’s weather agency, forecasted continued sleet and snow for northern England and southern Scotland. Meanwhile, the south of England, which experienced freezing rain earlier, was expected to see milder conditions later in the day.
Flood warnings were also issued by the Environment Agency for southern England, affecting areas around the River Taw and River Avon.
In Germany, snow and ice created hazardous conditions, particularly in the southwest. Authorities issued black ice warnings for drivers and pedestrians, advising people to avoid travel unless necessary.
At Frankfurt Airport, 120 of the 1,090 scheduled flights were canceled due to the weather. Munich Airport operated with only one runway while the other was cleared of snow and ice.
The road network faced its share of challenges, with accidents reported across the country. In Baden-Württemberg, a bus skidded off the road near Hemmingen, injuring eight people. Long-distance train services in the Frankfurt area also experienced irregularities.
Both countries continue to grapple with the effects of the heavy snow, as emergency services work to restore normalcy. While milder conditions are expected in some areas, the aftermath of the snow and freezing rain is likely to linger into the coming week.
