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Code Orange Snowstorm Disrupts Dutch Travel as Jams Near Record and Rail Service Stumbles

Officials urge homeworking, citing hazardous snow, failing rail switches, suspended buses, strained gritting.

Overview

  • KNMI’s code orange stayed in force across large parts of the country on Wednesday, with Flevoland’s warning extended to at least 18:00.
  • NS operated a reduced winter timetable but cut further as switch failures grew; no trains ran at times around Rotterdam and Breda, the HSL was down, and service to Belgium was halted.
  • The morning rush peaked at 704 kilometers of traffic, with 275 kilometers still queued around 10:00, and incidents included a northbound A6 closure after a jackknifed truck.
  • Bus operators held vehicles in depots through the morning in multiple regions; Qbuzz scrapped services in Groningen and Drenthe, while HTM, RET and EBS delayed departures.
  • Municipal crews worked around the clock as salt supplies tightened—Barneveld reported about 150 tonnes left after using over 800 tonnes—and IKEA Groningen will close Thursday for roof-safety checks.