Severe Winter Disruptions Hit Germany as Schools Close and Flights Cancelled; Chancellor Merz Begins India Visit

Severe winter weather has caused widespread disruption across Germany, with schools closed in multiple states and dozens of flights cancelled at Frankfurt airport due to black ice and snow. Citizens have been urged to exercise caution on roads. Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has begun his first state visit to India to strengthen bilateral ties, and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is in the US to discuss Ukraine, Arctic security, and Greenland.

Germany is currently experiencing a severe winter weather system that has caused widespread disruption across multiple regions. The German Weather Service has issued warnings of a widespread and dangerous black ice situation, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. Schools in several states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Bremen, and Lower Saxony, have been closed, with some shifting to remote learning for the day and providing emergency care only for students who require supervision. Authorities emphasized that travel would be hazardous, and parents were advised to keep children at home wherever possible. The German Automobile Club has warned drivers to avoid unnecessary journeys, stressing that flash ice can create sudden and dangerous road conditions. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder urged caution, noting that while conditions were not as severe as initially feared, the situation remained dangerous, and travelers should remain alert.
The icy weather has also significantly affected transportation, particularly air travel. Frankfurt airport, Germany’s largest air hub, has experienced major disruption, with dozens of flights cancelled due to snowfall and icy conditions. Of the 1,052 flights scheduled for Monday, 98 had already been called off by early morning, according to airport operator Fraport. Passengers were advised to check the status of their flights before traveling and to allow extra time for their journeys, as airport operations were operating under "strained winter conditions." The severe weather comes on the heels of storm Elli, which brought heavy snow, ice, and strong winds over the weekend, further complicating travel and daily life across the country.
Despite the challenging domestic conditions, Germany’s political and diplomatic engagements are continuing. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has begun his first state visit to India, arriving in Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, in the early hours of Monday. During his two-day visit, Merz is meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review and strengthen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. The discussions are expected to cover deepening cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, and defense. In addition to official meetings, Merz will visit historically significant sites, including the Gandhi Ashram, which was central to India’s independence movement. On Tuesday, the chancellor will travel to Bengaluru, the hub of India’s high-tech industry, to continue discussions on economic and technological collaboration.
Meanwhile, on the international diplomacy front, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is traveling to the United States to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting will address Germany’s ongoing support for Ukraine, security concerns in the Arctic, and the recent US threats over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory in the North Atlantic. Wadephul emphasized that Germany is committed to upholding the principles of freedom and self-determination among partner nations and pointed to Germany’s existing contributions to military security in the Arctic, including maritime surveillance. Following his Washington meetings, Wadephul will travel to New York to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, where he plans to discuss the implications of the US withdrawal from roughly 66 international organizations, many of which focus on issues such as democracy, equality, and environmental protection.
As Germany faces this extreme weather, citizens have been advised to exercise caution, particularly on icy roads, and to stay informed regarding school schedules and travel updates. While the cold snap has disrupted everyday life, German leadership continues to advance international diplomacy and strategic partnerships, balancing domestic challenges with global responsibilities.