Winter's icy grip on North Rhine-Westphalia left highway maintenance services without a moment's rest, battling snowfall that dusted the lowlands with up to four centimeters of snow since Sunday evening. Hell-bent on keeping roads clear and combating ice with salt, crews worked tirelessly, especially in the west and south of the state.
In the heart of the Rhineland and North Rhine-Westphalia's megacity, Cologne, waste management employees braved the cold to shovel snow and ice from city streets. The state road operator Straßen.NRW rallied their entire winter workforce since Sunday, dedicating their efforts to maintaining traffic safety amid escalating collective bargaining negotiations.
Regrettably, more than one-third of Straßen.NRW's workforce joined a warning strike on Tuesday, leading to an uncertain outlook for road users. Consequences remain elusive, but authorities warned of potential tunnel closures due to inadequate monitoring. The Menkhauser Berg tunnel in Oerlinghausen (Lippe district) and the Engelbert tunnel in Gevelsberg (Ennepe-Ruhr district) are both on high alert.
The chilling weather accompanied by snow and ice remained the main culprit behind a host of accidents that unfolded on Sunday evening and Monday. A near-miss accident took place near Ruppichteroth, where a 26-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle after overtaking a truck, colliding with a tree. The police are investigating whether the partially icy road was at fault.
Cologne alone counted upwards of 47 weather-related accidents by midday on Monday. "We're yet to witness a city-wide snow emergency here," stated a police spokesperson. Police in the Rhine-Erft district mobilized in response to approximately 30 incidents, such as a rear-end collision with minor injuries at a traffic light in Frechen, due to the icy roads.
In the Rhein-Sieg district, a female driver escaped with minor injuries after her car overturned onto its roof on a snow-covered route. Near Lohmar, another accident occurred when a 28-year-old woman collided with an oncoming snow removal vehicle after skidding on the snow-covered road.
Despite expectations for more snowfall throughout the day, meteorologist Nadine Schittko foretold an impending transition from snow to rain as temperatures rose. As the mercury climbed, localized risks of icecalamities persisted in the south and at higher altitudes. The famous Wuppertal Zoo closed its gates to visitors on Monday, citing the slippery paths and ice.
By Tuesday, chilly rain would take over the lowlands, with winter's persistent chills lingering in the mountains until Tuesday morning.
In short, the region's cold spell and snowfall have posed some challenges for winter services and traffic, but the main impact appears to be felt on public transportation due to strikes, causing delays and disruptions.
