Experiencing a chilly twist in Saxony this weekend, the German Weather Service (DWD) has forecasted frost, slushy conditions, and mild snowfall. Up to three centimeters of fresh snow might blanket the area, with the northern edge of the low mountain ranges potentially seeing up to six centimeters. Temperatures will hover between minus three and zero degrees Celsius, while in the mountains, they'll fall between minus five and minus one degree.
Keeping the mercury low on Monday, temperatures are expected to plummet to minus seven degrees Celsius. Monday will be overcast and dry, with winds kicking up in the upper mountains and Upper Lusatia. Showers and a slight warming trend await on Tuesday, forecasting a drop in temperatures to minus one to three degrees Celsius.
The bitterly cold weather has recently led to several mishaps on the roads. In Zwickau, a 25-year-old driver swerved off the road on Saturday afternoon, crashing into a ditch, after which she was treated as an outpatient in the hospital. Her vehicle was declared a total loss. Similarly, Highway 72 was shut down temporarily on Friday evening due to icy conditions in Reichenbach (Vogtlandkreis), resulting in minor damages amounting to around 55,000 euros.
To ensure your wintertime journey in Saxony is a smooth one, remember to drive cautiously and accommodate for the slippery roads. If you're looking for alternative routes, consider taking the ferry services between Bad Schandau and the National Park railway station, which are operational due to the bridge closure in Bad Schandau.
While traveling within Saxon Switzerland, obey the forest commandments for everyone's safety, and exercise extreme caution in wooded or mountainous areas, as some trees might be dead or dry and could fall at any moment.
As the winter weather sets in, the DWD advises that glatte Gefahr – slippery terrain – is prevalent in multiple regions, including Freiburg to Saxony. Take note of regional updates and public transport changes to keep your trip safe and stress-free.
Sources:
- www.stern.de
- [1] “Winterwetter in Deutschland: DWD warnt vor glatte Gefahr”, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk,
- [2] “Bedeutende Wechselstrome – Kameraaufnahmen zeigen die Elbebrücke in Schandau”, Wetter.de,
- [3] “Winterweather in Germany: Support and Information from DWD”, German Weather Service,
