Heavy snow and freezing rain caused widespread disruption across Europe on Sunday, particularly in the United Kingdom and Germany, where major airports were forced to suspend flights and transportation networks faced severe delays.
In the U.K., the inclement weather showed no signs of abating, with concerns mounting that rural communities in northern England could be cut off. Snow accumulations of up to 40 centimetres (15 inches) were reported at elevations above 300 metres (985 feet).
The National Grid, responsible for managing the country’s electricity network, reported power outages in the cities of Birmingham and Bristol, as well as Cardiff, Wales. Efforts were underway to restore electricity to affected areas.
The weather also disrupted sports events, although the much-anticipated Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield went ahead following inspections of the stadium and local conditions.
Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport closed runways overnight due to the snow but began returning to normal operations on Sunday. Leeds Bradford Airport, however, faced more significant delays in resuming flights.
The road network was heavily impacted, with many families and students returning from the holiday break. Preemptive road closures helped minimise issues, but stranded vehicles and collisions caused widespread delays.
Rail travel was also affected, with numerous train services cancelled. National Rail warned that disruptions could extend into the working week.
The Met Office forecasted continued sleet and snow moving northward, with the heaviest snowfall expected in northern England and southern Scotland. Freezing rain in the south was expected to give way to milder conditions. The Environment Agency issued eight flood warnings for southern England, particularly around the Taw and Avon rivers.
Germany also grappled with severe winter weather, as heavy snow and black ice swept across the southwest. Authorities issued warnings for drivers and pedestrians, urging people to stay home where possible.
At Frankfurt Airport, 120 of the 1,090 scheduled takeoffs and landings were cancelled on Sunday, according to the Fraport press office. In Munich, only one runway was operational while the other was being cleared of snow and ice.
In Baden-Wuerttemberg, a bus skidded off a road near Hemmingen, injuring eight people. Long-distance train services also faced irregularities in the Frankfurt area due to the harsh conditions.
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