Winter Birds Hour 2026

A group of children joyfully observing and counting winter birds at a bird feeder in a snowy park, immersed in a collaborative activity while showcasing the essence of the Winter Birds Hour 2026.

Overview of the Winter Birds Hour 2026 The Winter Birds Hour 2026 is a nationwide citizen science event coordinated in Germany from 9 to 11 January 2026. For one hour during that weekend, people are invited to count the birds they see at feeders, in gardens, on balconies or in parks and to report their […]

Elli Storm: Trains and Ferries Resume Service in MV

A post-storm winter scene in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. A warm, modern regional train arrives at a bustling station surrounded by people in colorful winter clothing, with children playing in the snow nearby. Iconic red-brick buildings are visible amidst a gentle snowfall, and the icy Baltic Sea is in the background, symbolizing recovery and community spirit.

1. Current situation in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern In the hours after Storm Elli swept across northern Germany, Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern is showing cautious signs of normalization. The strongest gusts have passed, persistent snowfall has eased, and major transport links — especially key railway lines and ferry connections — are gradually resuming service. Authorities stress that the situation is improving […]

Snow Moves South – Train Services Set to Begin

A bustling German train station after snowfall, featuring a sleek train, diverse passengers in winter clothing preparing to board, snow gently falling, and typical architectural details of a train station, creating a scene of hope and resilience.

1. Winter storm shifts south — clear but very cold conditions in the north In recent days a powerful winter storm brought heavy snow, strong winds and extreme cold across large parts of the country, especially the north, which disrupted travel and rail services. The storm, referred to in many forecasts as “ELLI”, has shifted […]

Winter Weather Halts Bremen Trains, Buses Resume Service

A photorealistic winter scene at a Bremen train station featuring a Regio-S-Bahn train surrounded by diverse commuters, snow gently falling, with Bremen's iconic Town Hall in the background.

1. Winter outbreak affects Regio-S-Bahn around Bremen and Oldenburg A cold snap with heavy snow, ice and strong winds has disrupted regional rail services in northwest Germany. The electric Regio-S-Bahn network serving Bremen and Oldenburg is particularly vulnerable: frozen points, iced overhead lines and snowdrifts can lead to delayed or cancelled trains and to sections […]

Bremen: Buses Running, Trams Suspended

A vibrant scene in Bremen, Germany, showcasing a BSAG bus navigating a busy street with trams parked in the background, featuring recognizable landmarks like the Town Hall, under a sunny blue sky.

1. Summary of the situation In Bremen, the local public transport operator BSAG has partially restored bus services after a recent disruption, while all tram (streetcar) services remain suspended. Initial reports suggested a widespread halt of urban public transport; however, the company later clarified that bus lines are running again in many areas, albeit with […]

Bremen Tram Service Halted

A winter scene in Bremen, Germany, showing a snow-covered tram stop with a non-operational tram and buses arriving to provide service; people are visible in winter clothing, waiting at the bus stop, with snow gently falling in a scenic backdrop of Bremen's architecture.

Current status of tram operations in Bremen Heavy winter weather led to a temporary suspension of the Bremen tram service operated by BSAG. The company halted all tram and bus services on the evening of 9 January 2026 and then replaced parts of the tram network with a staged bus emergency service (Schienenersatzverkehr, SEV). Since […]

Sledding Fun: Top 7 Snow Spots in Düsseldorf

A lively family enjoying sledding in a snowy park in Düsseldorf, surrounded by trees and the winter landscape, embodying the spirit of fun and adventure in the snow.

Introduction: Sledding in Düsseldorf Düsseldorf is not an alpine winter paradise, but when snow arrives the city reveals many great sledding hills. Local coverage and long-running guides consistently point to a handful of favourites across parks, woods and riverbanks. This overview collects those recurring recommendations and practical advice so you can find the best sledding […]

Rheinbahn’s Commitment to Improve After Snow Disruptions

A lively winter scene in Düsseldorf depicting diverse commuters waiting at a snowy tram station, symbols of community resilience amidst moderate snowfall, with iconic local architecture and landmarks in the background.

1. What happened during the snow event In a sudden and heavy snowfall across Düsseldorf and the surrounding region in 2026, Rheinbahn services were severely disrupted. Many tram and bus lines stopped operating, passengers were left waiting for hours at stops with limited information, and parts of the network became effectively paralyzed. The situation quickly […]

Hamburg Airport: Flight Cancellations Due to Snow and Ice on January 6-7

A high-resolution ultra-realistic image of Hamburg Airport during a winter storm in January 2026, featuring a large de-icing vehicle spraying bright pink fluid onto an airplane amidst heavy snowfall, with the airport terminal and control tower visible in the snowy background.

1. Overview Hamburg Airport faced significant disruption over the weekend around January 6–7 as winter storm “Elli” brought heavy snow, freezing rain and strong winds to northern Germany. The combination of snowfall, icy conditions and disturbances at major European hubs led to flight cancellations, widespread delays and a continuous winter service effort on the airfield. […]

How Hamburg’s S-Bahn Forgot Winter

A winter scene in Hamburg showing a crowded S-Bahn train platform during snowfall, with passengers in winter attire waiting for delayed trains, iconic Hamburg architecture in the background, creating a sense of community resilience.

1. A winter wake-up call for Hamburg’s S-Bahn When winter arrived in early 2026, the city’s suburban rail network quickly became one of the most visible signs that an urban transport system can struggle badly with snow and ice. Passengers were asked to avoid travel where possible as services slowed, turned back early, or were […]