An intense cold wave struck large parts of Europe on Tuesday, causing heavy snowfall and icy conditions that severely disrupted travel. In the Netherlands, hundreds of flights were canceled and domestic rail services were completely halted for several hours before partially resuming by mid-morning, particularly outside the Amsterdam area.
The disruptions also affected international connections, with several Eurostar high-speed trains between Amsterdam and Paris being canceled or delayed. At Schiphol Airport, more than 400 flights were cancelled, mainly operated by the Dutch subsidiary of Air France-KLM, as winter conditions paralyzed one of Europe's main transit hubs for the fifth consecutive day.
In France, a prolonged cold snap has brought sub-zero temperatures after snowfall in the Paris region and much of the country. Authorities have urged people to limit car travel and work from home, warning that refrozen slush is making roads dangerous. According to French media, five people have died since Monday in accidents related to black ice.
In Germany, temperatures plummeted well below -10°C in the south and east of the country, while large areas, including near the North Sea, were blanketed in snow. German weather services anticipate further deterioration at the end of the week, with heavy snowfall expected in the north and east.
In the UK, the national weather service, the Met Office, warned that the risks associated with winter weather could persist throughout most of the country this week. An amber alert was issued for snowfall in central Scotland, signaling potentially hazardous conditions.
The cold wave also wreaked havoc in the Western Balkans, where heavy snowfall and torrential rain led to road closures, power outages, and flooding. In Sarajevo, a woman died after being crushed by a snow-laden tree, illustrating the extent of the risks associated with this exceptional winter event.
