1. Storm Elli and transport disruption
On Monday, 12 January 2026, the aftermath of the winter storm known as ‘Elli’ dominated news across Germany. The storm, which swept the north with heavy snow and strong winds starting on Friday, caused massive disruptions to rail travel. Long-distance services in northern Germany were suspended for several days, producing widespread cancellations and delays, particularly in Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. By Sunday some main routes, including the Hamburg–Hannover–Kassel corridor, resumed service but with a reduced timetable, lower speeds for safety reasons and ongoing restrictions. Regional operators continued to report outages and advised passengers to avoid travel where possible.
Transport and railway operations
- Friday: Storm Elli brings heavy snow, strong winds and drifting that affected northern regions.
- Immediate impact: Deutsche Bahn suspended long-distance services in North Germany, causing days of cancellations and delays.
- Sunday: Partial resumption on key lines such as Hamburg–Hannover–Kassel with reduced service levels and speed limits for safety.
- Ongoing effects: Regional operators, including some local providers, reported continuing cancellations and advised against non-essential travel.
Regions most affected
- Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) — severe rail disruption and service suspensions.
- Hamburg–Hannover–Kassel corridor — main route with partial resumption and reduced offerings.
- North Rhine-Westphalia and Ostwestfalen — warned for icy conditions and freezing rain.
- Berlin and Brandenburg — at risk of black ice and further winter impacts.
- Bavaria — included in weather warnings for freezing rain and very low temperatures.
2. Political reactions and railway response
Politicians called for a thorough review of how the crisis was handled. Critics demanded accountability and concrete measures to prevent a repeat, while railway leadership defended its decisions taken under difficult, changing conditions. The debate focused on preparedness for winter weather, investment in infrastructure and the adequacy of crisis management.
Calls for accountability
Conservative politicians sharply criticized the rail operator’s performance. One lawmaker said the company must investigate the failures and ensure that train traffic does not come to a standstill during future winter incidents. Green lawmakers also urged a critical review of responses and pointed to insufficient funding for measures such as switch heating that help keep tracks operational in severe cold and snow.
Railway management response
Railway leadership defended the crisis response, emphasizing that passenger and staff safety was prioritized and that no train was left stranded on open track. The railway chief described the situation as dynamic, with repeated snow drifts complicating operations, and stressed that the company prepares for many types of weather but that each event can be unique. The federal transport minister praised goodwill measures for affected passengers.
3. Weather warnings, temperatures and accidents
The German Weather Service warned of black ice and freezing rain at the start of the week, with a high potential for hazardous conditions in several states. Nighttime temperatures fell sharply, reaching between minus 5 and minus 17 degrees Celsius in some areas. The severe conditions contributed to a rise in accidents and emergency incidents across the country.
Notable incidents
- Korbach: A serious road crash resulted in the death of a 38-year-old.
- Rosenheim: A 20-year-old blocked a rail line, causing disruption.
- A7 motorway: A multi-vehicle pile-up left 12 people injured.
4. Nationwide blood shortage
Alongside the weather emergency, Germany is facing a nationwide blood shortage. Blood donation services report that supplies are critically low and can no longer be replenished from usual reserves. The shortage adds pressure to hospitals and emergency care providers during a period of increased demand caused by accidents and winter illness.
How you can help
- Consider donating blood if you are eligible and healthy — community blood supplies are urgently needed.
- Contact your local blood donation service or blood bank to make an appointment or learn about nearby collection points.
- Share information with family and friends to raise awareness about the shortage and encourage donations.
