Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Europe Faces Severe Winter Disruptions
Europe is having a very cold winter with lots of snow and ice.
This is causing many problems.
In the Netherlands, hundreds of flights were canceled, and trains stopped running for a while.
In France, five people died in car accidents because of the icy roads.
In Germany, it's very cold, and there's a lot of snow.
In the UK, there are warnings about more snow.
In Sarajevo, a woman died when a tree with too much snow on it fell on her.
People are being told to stay home and avoid traveling if they can.
Airlines and train companies are trying to help, but it's very busy and hard to fix everything quickly.
Severe winter weather disrupts travel across Europe, with over 700 flights canceled at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands and significant cancellations at Paris airports.
All domestic rail services in the Netherlands were suspended due to an IT outage compounding weather-related disruptions.
Five people died in road accidents in France due to freezing conditions, with transport authorities advising minimal travel.
Germany experienced temperatures below -10°C with widespread snowfall, and the UK recorded -12.5°C, the coldest night of the winter so far.
In the UK, an amber warning for snow was issued for central Scotland, and heavy snow and rain caused havoc in the Western Balkans, including a fatality in Sarajevo.
- Who
- Residents and travelers across Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, UK, and Western Balkans
- What
- Severe winter weather causing disruptions and fatalities
- When
- Early January, with ongoing disruptions
- Where
- Swathes of Europe, including major cities and transit hubs
- Why
- Extreme cold, snow, and icy conditions disrupting travel and causing hazardous conditions
Airlines and Authorities
Travelers and Passengers
Flight Cancellations
Airlines and Authorities
Airlines and authorities are taking necessary precautions to ensure safety by canceling flights and managing de-icing operations.
Travelers and Passengers
Travelers are facing significant inconveniences, including long delays, canceled flights, and having to spend the night at airports.
- Affected Countries
- Netherlands, France, Germany, UK, Western Balkans
- Flights Cancelled
- Over 700 at Schiphol Airport, 40% at Charles de Gaulle, 25% at Orly
- Road Fatalities
- 5 in France
- Temperature
- Below -10°C in parts of Germany, -12.5°C in Marham, Norfolk
- Rail Disruptions
- All domestic rail services in Netherlands suspended
- Casualties
- 1 in Sarajevo from a snow-laden tree
- Warnings
- Amber warning for snow in central Scotland
Sources
Icy cold snap grips swathes of Europe, disrupting travel
KLM running out of de-icing fluid for planes in Amsterdam
More travel chaos to hit Europe as cold snap brings more snow
Snow and Ice Trigger Deadly Accidents, Travel Chaos Across Europe
Europe caught in deadly winter storm: Airports shut down, rail services come to a halt
Western Europe braces for another wave of snow and ice, flight and train services disrupted
Amsterdam Airport Cancels 700 Flights Due To Severe Snow, Wind Disruptions
Hundreds of flights cancelled in Europe as continent braces for another wave of snow
Watch: Snow Causes Flight Cancellations At Schiphol Airport, Staff Member Makes 'Snowman'
Snow clogs transport in Europe as Parisians turn to skis