PHOTOS: Disruptive snow, strong winds slam Germany
The week came to an end with a powerful storm slamming Germany with disruptive snow and damaging winds.
The same storm that delivered snow to London late on Thursday strengthened as it crossed Germany on Thursday night into Friday.
Snow was unleashed across the northern half of the country as winds in excess of 72 km/h (45 mph) whipped central and southern areas.
The snow was not only confined to the higher terrain, but it also accumulated in many lower elevations.
Snowfall totals, as of 7:00 CET Friday, courtesy of the German Weather Service:
Officials were forced to close a stretch of the Autobahn 30 in northwestern Germany after a truck overturned amid the snow, according to The Local. No injuries were reported.
A total of 20 cm (8 inches) blanketed Rieden in Rhineland-Pfalz on Thursday night. (Twitter Photo/@chris_12s)
A snowy scene unfolded in Wintzen in western Germany on 13 January 2017. (Twitter Photo/@Kevin_Moesch)
Snow covered Bremen on 13 January 2017. (Twitter Photo/@sarazate)
Snow falls and accumulates in Mappershain, Hessen, Germany, on 13 January 2017. (Instagram Photo/arogge25)
On the southern side of the storm, strong winds produced gusts in excess of 72 km/h (45 mph) across central and southern Germany.
The Local reported that emergency crews responded to at least 50 emergency calls due to downed trees and other objects on roads in Hesse.
Uprooted trees and power outages also plagued the states of Saarland and Rhineland-Pfalz.
Winds gusted to 106 km/h (66 mph) at Buechel and 98 km/h (61 mph) at Frankfurt, where dozens of flights were canceled at the airport on Friday.
In the wake of the strong winds and disruptive snow, another storm system will lead to additional bouts of snow and travel delays through Monday.
While light snow will linger across eastern and southern Germany on Sunday, the majority of the snow will lead to additional accumulations.
Regardless of snow being light, temperatures below freezing much of the day could result in slick roadways. Motorists should continue to use caution and allow for extra travel time.
Temperatures will also trend downward into Monday. Highs on Sunday will range from minus 2 to 4 C (29 to 38 F) before averaging a couple of degrees lower on Monday. The coldest air on both days will be felt across southern parts of the country.
Content contributed by Meteorologist Adam Douty
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