Germany, experiencing one of the harshest winters in recent years, has been hit by a snowstorm caused by the “Elli” low-pressure system.

According to the German media, following snowfall and storms that began in the north and east of the country, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) issued a red alert for 9 states. It warned of heavy snowfall and icy conditions until Friday afternoon in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Thuringia, Bavaria.

German Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder issued a statement urging citizens to be cautious: “People need to avoid anything that isn’t absolutely necessary. There are signs that the situation could be very dangerous in some areas. People must be aware of this and not take it lightly. Something serious is approaching us; everyone who doesn’t have to go out should stay home”.

Hesse state Interior Minister Roman Poseck called for people to avoid unnecessary travel by car and to refrain from cycling. The city administration of Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia also warned citizens to stay away from forests and parks due to the risk of falling branches from severe storms and snowfall.

Due to the cold weather and snowstorm affecting Germany, schools have been closed in cities in the north of the country, including Hamburg and Bremen. Funeral and burial ceremonies have also been cancelled throughout Hamburg on Friday and Saturday. Oldenburg Public Transport Company announced that due to heavy snowfall and the risk of icy conditions, all bus services on all routes have been cancelled until further notice to ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians. German railway company Deutsche Bahn announced that train services to cities in the north of the country, particularly Hamburg, may experience delays, cancellations, and a reduction in the number of services on Sunday, January 11th. Due to harsh winter conditions and road closures in Germany, Prime Minister Friedrich Merz’s visit to Mainz has been cancelled.

The German Meteorological Office reported that similar severe winter conditions were last seen in the country in 2010.