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Northern Netherlands Under Extended Code Orange as Drifting Snow Closes Roads and Stops Buses

Rijkswaterstaat readies a nationwide cold protocol ahead of fresh snow Friday night followed by a brief, severe freeze this weekend.

Overview

  • KNMI extended code orange until 21:00 for Groningen, Friesland and the Wadden due to strong easterly winds creating snowdrifts and poor visibility.
  • Authorities shut multiple northern routes as conditions worsened, including the N33 between Zuidbroek and Appingedam, the N355 toward Groningen, the N46 and the N388 near Zoutkamp.
  • Qbuzz scrapped all bus services in Drenthe for safety reasons, and NS/ProRail are running a reduced winter timetable with a weekend-wide scaled service and possible crowding and delays.
  • Rijkswaterstaat deployed 577 gritters, 630 plows and 1,500 personnel, urging drivers to prepare for slick roads from new snowfall and refreezing.
  • Forecasters expect renewed snow Friday evening and temperatures near -10°C with local dips to about -15°C, and Rijkswaterstaat will activate its cold protocol nationwide from Saturday 18:00 to expedite assistance for stranded motorists.