Germany faces chaos as -20C blizzards halt trains, planes and traffic

Storm Goretti has brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions across Germany, with long-distance rail services in the north halted and flights and roads disrupted; meteorologists say temperatures could drop to around -20C and further snow is expected.

Blizzards from Storm Goretti have disrupted transport across Germany and parts of northwestern Europe. Meteorological authorities reported heavy snowfall, strong winds and a risk of black ice as temperatures fall. Long-distance rail services in northern Germany were halted and flights and roads were affected. Officials have mobilised crews to clear tracks and monitor the situation. Key developments: - The German weather service (DWD) warned of heavy snow, possible black ice and temperatures that could reach about -20C in some areas this weekend. - Deutsche Bahn said long-distance rail travel in northern Germany is no longer possible, and services connecting Berlin with Hamburg and parts of the west were impacted. - More than 14,000 employees were mobilised to clear snow from tracks and platforms. - Forecasts expect the country to see further snowfall, with another wave possibly bringing up to 25 centimetres in parts of the west and south. Summary: Transport across Germany remains heavily disrupted, with trains stopped in the north and continued impacts on flights and road traffic. Authorities have deployed personnel to clear snow and assess infrastructure. Forecasts indicate more snow and very low temperatures in the coming days, and specific timelines for full service restoration are undetermined at this time.