Warning Issued by German Weather Service for Icy Roads
Beware of icy roads in North Rhine-Westphalia, warns the German Weather Service (DWD). The western part around Aachen and the eastern part of the state from Wuppertal to Paderborn have experienced significant slipperiness due to freezing rain since last night. The DWD website reports an increased risk of slipperiness, advising motorists to take caution.
According to the DWD weather report, freezing rain with black ice has been prevalent in the Eifel, Sauerland, and East Westphalia regions. Restrictions on road traffic are possible, and the warning remains valid until Friday at 1 pm. In the mountains, there's a possibility of snowfall ranging from one to five centimeters.
Due to these icy conditions, some motorists in Wuppertal have faced accident risks. In preparation for traveling from Düsseldorf to Aachen, it's crucial to be aware of this increased slipperiness. The DWD suggests avoiding unnecessary travel to Paderborn, as the risk of slipperiness is high due to the freezing rain, making the roads dangerously smooth.
In Wuppertal, the weather transformed into a weather risk, leaving the roads slick and slippery overnight. The German Weather Service has issued a warning for the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia, citing the risk of slipperiness as the primary concern, emphasizing the potential for accidents in the treacherous conditions.
To reduce the risk of accidents in these icy and slippery conditions, it's essential for drivers to be cautious. The DWD suggests following these safety measures:
- Winter Tyres: Drivers must ensure their vehicles are equipped with winter tyres, which are mandatory on German roads.
- Gritting Efforts: Although public service strikes have affected road maintenance in Hamburg, 500 road safety workers have implemented gritting efforts on highly trafficked roads since 1 am on Friday. However, pavements and roads may not be gritted in all areas due to strikes, increasing their hazardous nature.
- Cautionary Measures: Pedestrians and drivers should be extra cautious on roads and pavements due to the lack of gritting in certain areas.
- Temperature Forecasts: DWD has predicted freezing temperatures, with lows of -7 degrees Celsius on Sunday night and -10 degrees in the Mittelgebirge regions. These chilling temperatures indicate that the icy conditions will persist into the upcoming week.
By following these safety measures, motorists can navigate the hazardous road conditions more effectively, lowering the risk of accidents.
Sources:
- stern.de
- [1] DWD Weather Service Information
