MUNICH: Heavy snowfall has led to widespread disruption in southern Germany, particularly in the state capital of Munich, causing the closure of Munich airport and severely impacting air and rail traffic. The airport, initially suspending flights until noon Saturday, extended the closure until 6:00 am on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions.
A spokesperson for Munich airport reported that a total of 760 flights were affected by the heavy snow, with more than 40 centimeters (16 inches) falling overnight from Friday to Saturday, according to weather services. Authorities advised residents to stay home for their safety as the winter weather created hazardous conditions.
The disruption extended to train services, with Deutsche Bahn stating that the main Munich station could not be served, leading to delays and cancellations across the region. Public transportation in Munich, including buses, trams, and suburban trains, faced severe disruptions.
Effects of Heavy Snowfall in Germany
The adverse weather conditions also forced the cancellation of the planned football championship match between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin scheduled for Saturday.
Police in Lower Bavaria reported 350 interventions related to the weather on Friday night, with five people sustaining minor injuries in car accidents. The ongoing snowfall and freezing temperatures have affected much of Germany for several days.
Weather forecasts indicate that the southern region of Allgau in Bavaria is expected to receive the largest quantities of snow on Saturday, with an additional 30 to 40 centimeters.
