A powerful winter storm named "Elli" has brought northern Germany to a standstill, forcing Deutsche Bahn to suspend all long-distance rail services across the region.

The storm, which swept through on Friday (January 9) has already been linked to at least three fatalities in Bavaria caused by treacherous, snow-covered roads.

With the critical transport hub of Hanover completely closed for much of the day, the rail operator described the shutdown as a necessary safety measure for passengers and staff, warning that significant delays and cancellations will persist through the weekend.

Beyond the rail network, the storm’s impact has been widespread. Schools were ordered closed in cities like Hamburg and Bremen, while road travel became extremely hazardous as stranded trucks blocked major motorways including the A4 and A7.

In Hamburg, heavy snowfall and ice effectively froze logistics at the nation's largest port, halting rail freight and forcing several vessels to divert to other ports.

While the German Weather Service (DWD) categorized the storm as a "typical wintry event," the resulting 15–20 centimeters of snow and plunging temperatures—forecast to hit 20 degree in parts of Saxony—have created a national emergency.

As of Sunday, January 11, Deutsche Bahn has begun a gradual resumption of services on major routes such as Hamburg–Berlin and Kiel–Frankfurt, though a "reduced service" remains in effect.

Travelers are being urged to check their connections frequently and utilize the free "Storm Elli" hotline. While air traffic at Frankfurt Airport has remained relatively stable, regional bus services and coastal ferries remain limited.

Officials warn that even as the storm moves east, the extreme cold will render road salt ineffective, keeping the risk of accidents and infrastructure failures high for the coming days.

Source: German News Service