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Winter weather in Elbingerode (Saxony-Anhalt)
Photo: Matthias Bein / dpa
Due to the heavy onset of winter expected in many parts of Germany, the German Weather Service anticipates significant traffic obstructions.
In the north of the country, some long-distance rail connections had already been set as a precaution on Saturday.
The south, on the other hand, should get a taste of spring.
According to a statement from Deutsche Bahn, all long-distance trains between Hamburg and Kiel, Hamburg and Lübeck and between Hamburg and Westerland were canceled for Saturday and Sunday.
The connection between Hamburg and Rostock / Stralsund / Binz is also affected by the adjustments.
Here the timetable will be thinned out on the weekend, it said.
Impairments are also to be expected in regional traffic, for example in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Germany faces unusual weather extremes.
The north is threatened with up to 40 centimeters of fresh snow, plus "enormous snow drifts" up to over a meter by storm, as the German Weather Service (DWD) announced.
In the south, however, there should be spring-like foehn.
Experts expect a temperature gradient of around 20 degrees Celsius between northern and southern Germany.
According to the DWD, the region from Emsland and Münsterland to the Harz region will be particularly affected by the winter weather from Saturday evening.
In the Ruhr area, the Siegerland, in Central Hesse and Upper Franconia, however, there is freezing rain from Sunday afternoon to Monday, which could result in a layer of ice several centimeters thick.
The meteorologists expect significant traffic disruptions due to storm-like freezing rain with supraregional effects on roads and railways.
In Lower Saxony, the fire brigade and disaster control, police, transport companies and railways, road maintenance services and clearing services prepared for challenging days.
"Only drive with winter equipment and generally avoid driving!" Said the DWD warning.
Roads and railways could become impassable.
There is a risk of snow breakage.
Snow showers and frosty temperatures are also expected in Saxony-Anhalt.
"It starts relatively calmly, but we expect a very turbulent weekend," said a DWD spokesman.
It looks similar in Saxony.
Because of the announced extreme weather, the Harz National Park Administration has warned against entering the forests.
"A visit to the forest at the weekend can be life-threatening," said a warning posted on the Internet.
Appeal not to put yourself or others in danger
Not only are there dangers from falling or falling trees, it can also lead to frostbite, exhaustion and disorientation.
In addition, icy areas under the fresh snow cannot be seen, it said.
The national park administration based in Wernigerode appealed not to endanger themselves or others.
And in Berlin, too, it will be frosty - with temperatures of up to minus eight degrees during the day, the nights should be even colder.
The capital is therefore providing additional warm places for the homeless.
The largest homeless camp in the city on the Rummelsburger Bucht should be cleared.
"Because of the weather with cold, snow and moisture, the situation is very threatening, we can no longer guarantee that life and limb are safe for the people here," said Kevin Hönicke (SPD), Deputy District Mayor of Berlin-Lichtenberg.
In cooperation with the Senate, accommodation for 100 people had been found - an air dome that has often been used for the homeless.
The people in the south, on the other hand, can look forward to spring-like temperatures at the weekend.
According to the German Meteorological Service, low pressure areas over Western Europe direct very mild air to Bavaria.
Foehn sets in at the Alps, which means temperatures of up to 15 degrees are possible there on Saturday.
In Baden-Württemberg, too, meteorologists expect maximum values of 6 to 11 degrees.
Severe frost at the beginning of the week
For the new week, the DWD predicts icy easterly winds with gusts of wind and severe frost in the north and center of the country.
“The mark of minus 20 degrees can be scratched locally.
The winter keeps us firmly under control, ”said a DWD meteorologist.
Especially in the northeast half of Germany, temperatures are falling sharply.
There, only maximum values of minus eight to zero degrees are expected on Monday and Tuesday.
In the extreme southwest, on the other hand, the thermometer will probably show plus three degrees at the start of the week.
According to the DWD, the maximum values at the North Sea and the Alps fluctuate around freezing point.
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wit / dpa