Snowstorm Triggers Warnings in Germany and Northern Europe

Heavy snow and ice hit northern and eastern Europe, disrupting transport and power systems as freezing conditions are forecast for the next two weeks.

The winter storm triggered red weather alerts in Germany, where 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) of snow is expected in the south-central region and as much as 15 centimeters in the northeast, according to government forecaster DWD.

Snow accumulation on solar panels in Germany is expected to limit electricity generation in some areas on Monday, according to MetDesk meteorologist Matthew Dobson. That comes as European natural gas prices extended their year-to-date rally as LNG export capacity at American hubs declined on the back of a massive US winter storm.

An orange weather warning was issued for southeast Sweden, with up to 30 centimeters of snow forecast from Monday afternoon through Tuesday. The national weather forecaster SMHI warned that power cuts would likely occur and told people not to venture outside unless necessary.

Heavy snowfall is also expected in Denmark and Poland, which have issued amber alerts. Other warnings for winter weather have been issued across the region, stretching from Scandinavia through the Balkans.

Photograph: Passengers amid train cancellations at Berlin Central railway station, on Jan. 26, 2026; photo credit: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg