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Germany Braces for Major Black Ice as Storm 'Gunda' Moves In

North Rhine-Westphalia moves classes online following a DWD warning that freezing rain will spread from west to east overnight.

Overview

  • The German Weather Service forecasts snow turning to freezing rain overnight, warning of an "overregional, storm-like" black-ice situation with regional impacts lasting into Tuesday and easing by Wednesday.
  • Schools switch to distance learning across North Rhine-Westphalia, with all of Niedersachsen and Bremen also canceling in-person classes and offering only emergency childcare in many areas.
  • Deutsche Bahn says roughly two-thirds of northern long-distance services are running and expects only minor disruptions from icing on Monday, though reduced speeds and timetable changes remain possible.
  • Ferry links to the East Frisian islands have resumed after storm disruptions, but operators report cancellations, shifted departures and access problems due to low water and snow.
  • Authorities and the ADAC urge people to avoid non‑essential travel because of blitzeis, after numerous weekend crashes and extensive deployments by road, rescue and winter services.