Snow and ice paralyze large parts of Bavaria

Weather - Snow and ice paralyze large parts of Bavaria

Sheer mountains of snow, snow clearing vehicles in constant use, chaos in traffic - a heavy onset of winter has paralyzed large parts of Bavaria. The heavy snowfall and black ice led to accidents and long traffic jams on the highways, and Munich and Memmingen airports temporarily suspended flight operations. The Bundesliga home match between FC Bayern Munich and 1. FC Union Berlin in the afternoon was canceled. Numerous railroad lines around the state capital of Munich had to be closed, and passengers in Ulm and Munich spent the night on trains.

Sledgers, skiers and even some surfers had fun on the Eisbach in Munich's English Garden.

Airports temporarily suspend operations

At Munich Airport, flight operations are suspended until 6.00 a.m. on Sunday due to heavy snowfall. This was announced by an airport spokesperson on Saturday morning. Passengers were asked not to arrive at all. Before departing on Sunday, passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline, the spokesperson recommended. The winter service is working to ensure safe operations again. Allgäu Airport in Memmingen also suspended flight operations on Saturday due to the persistent snowfall. The closure was initially scheduled to last until 3.00 pm.

A Lufthansa spokesperson pointed out that the closure of air traffic in Munich would have an impact on other airports. Around 20 aircraft that were due to land in Munich had been diverted to Frankfurt, said a spokesman for airport operator Fraport this morning. According to a spokesperson, Nuremberg Airport also accepted individual aircraft that were no longer able to fly to Munich.

Disruptions to rail traffic

Anyone traveling by train must be prepared for severe disruptions in southern Germany until Monday. A Deutsche Bahn spokeswoman told the German Press Agency on Saturday morning. Among other things, overhead lines are iced over. Munich Central Station will not be accessible all day Saturday. The train service was canceled. The railroad announced: "All passengers who wish to postpone their journey planned for December 2 and 3 in southern Germany due to the onset of winter in southern Germany can use their ticket at a later date."

Kilometers of traffic jams on Bavaria's freeways

There were numerous accidents on the roads in southern Bavaria - according to the police, most of them resulted in property damage. The heavy snowfall caused long traffic jams on the highways. On the A8 in the direction of Salzburg, a traffic jam stretched for 30 kilometers at times near Munich, said an ADAC spokeswoman on Saturday morning. The A6 and A9 were also badly affected. The automobile club recommended temporarily avoiding non-essential journeys and only driving with winter equipment if possible.

Emergency services on permanent duty - power cuts

The police of Upper Bavaria South called on the population to stay at home. The police, rescue services, fire department and snow clearing services are in constant operation. Many smaller roads outside towns were heavily snow-covered or blocked by fallen trees.

Fallen trees led to power outages in parts of Bavaria. Many thousands of households in the Bayernwerk network area were affected, particularly in the Penzberg, Kolbermoor, Freilassing, Parsberg, Vilshofen, Eggenfelden and Regen areas, according to a company spokesperson. Service teams had been working since the night to repair damage to power lines and restore the power supply.

Palaces and zoo closed

In Munich, the Residenz and Christmas market remained closed on Saturday, as did the castles on Herreninsel in Chiemsee and Linderhof Castle in Ettal (district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen). According to the Bavarian Palace Administration, Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen in the Allgäu region was not affected. In Munich, Hellabrunn Zoo was also closed, as was the craft fair. The zoo in Straubing and the zoo in Augsburg were also closed, and public transport was temporarily suspended in both cities. Forestry Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) recommended avoiding forests in the south and east of Bavaria due to the risk of snow breakage.

Further snowfall expected

According to the German Weather Service, the highest amounts of fresh snow are expected in the Allgäu with 30 to 40 centimeters by Saturday afternoon. After the heavy snowfall in the Alps, slightly fewer flakes are expected on Sunday night, according to meteorologist Robert Hausen from the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach on Saturday.

DB operating situation

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The traffic situation in Ulm was also affected, with the police reporting numerous accidents due to the heavy snowfall and icy roads.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, some locals in Memmingen found joy in the snow, setting up makeshift sledding hills in the local park.
Travelers planning to fly out of Memmingen Airport were advised to check the status of their flights, as even temporary suspension of operations could lead to delays or cancellations.
In Southern Germany, winter sports enthusiasts flocked to the snow-covered mountains, with major ski resorts in the Allgäu region witnessing a surge in visitors seeking to enjoy the fresh snow.
As the onset of winter continued, railroad operators in Bavaria warned of severe disruptions in train traffic, with many lines needing to be closed for extended periods.
The cancellation of FC Bayern Munich's home match against 1. FC Union Berlin was a significant blow for football fans, but the club promised to reschedule the match at a later date.
The busy A9 freeway was heavily impacted by the snowfall, with long traffic jams and numerous accidents causing delays and frustration for motorists traveling between Munich and Frankfurt.
The police and rescue services in Bavaria worked tirelessly to respond to emergencies, with the A8 between Munich and Salzburg being a particular focus due to the extensive traffic disruptions.
The suspension of operations at both Munich and Memmingen airports put a strain on alternative transportation options, with many flights being diverted to Frankfurt and other nearby airports.
The heavy snowfall and icy roads also posed risks to power lines and electrical infrastructure, with some areas in Bavaria experiencing temporary power outages and service disruptions.
Local authorities and emergency services in Bavaria urged residents to use caution and exercise patience, urging people to avoid non-essential travel and stay safe during the onset of winter.

Source: www.stern.de