While Storm Goretti continues to bring freezing temperatures and snow to many parts of the UK, Europe is also facing a bitter cold spell. Storm Elli has hit Europe with even more severe conditions, leading some countries to take drastic measures.
In Germany, where temperatures are predicted to drop to -30 degrees, officials in Hamburg have enforced a ban on burials. This decision is due to the frozen ground, which has made it nearly impossible to dig graves, forcing delays of at least two weeks.
Aside from disrupting funeral plans, the harsh weather has caused chaos in transportation networks across the country. Deutsche Bahn, the national railway operator, has warned that long-distance train travel is not viable under the dangerous conditions.
Additionally, the Christian Democrat Union (CDU) party in Germany had to cancel its first major gathering of the year due to the severe weather warnings and associated risks, as well as the cancellations of trains and flights.
Meanwhile, Germany’s national meteorological service, the DWD, issued a statement cautioning about upcoming snowfall in regions like Bavaria, with snow expected to arrive rapidly and transition into rain in certain areas.
As Germany and France battle strong winds and snow from Storm Elli, the UK is facing the impacts of Storm Goretti, with the Met Office warning of potential wintry weather returning after a brief break on Saturday.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Steve Willington advised that Sunday could bring more snow to parts of Scotland and northern England, with low temperatures maintaining the risk of ice. Accumulations of 2-5cm at lower levels and 10-20cm in higher elevations are possible, leading to further disruptions in areas already heavily affected by snowfall.
For central and southern England and Wales, the precipitation is expected to fall as rain, making for a wet Sunday in those regions.