Overview
- DWD keeps widespread yellow and orange alerts in place for freezing drizzle and overfreezing moisture, warning of further glatteis on Monday and renewed risk around New Year’s, with snow in higher terrain and coastal winds in some areas.
- Police across NRW, Lower Saxony, Saxony and Hesse reported numerous ice-related crashes, including pileups and temporary closures, with mostly minor injuries but significant disruption.
- Berlin and Potsdam hospitals reported overcrowded emergency departments after a spike in falls; Potsdam’s Ernst von Bergmann hospital declared mass-casualty level 2 and at times treated up to 86 injured simultaneously.
- Transport and emergency response were hindered as Berlin’s rescue helicopters were grounded by frost, Potsdam suspended bus service for hours, and BER departures faced de-icing delays.
- Authorities urge people to avoid non-essential trips, adjust driving, and use primary-care or on-call medical services for non-urgent issues, with some facilities expecting elevated caseloads for another 24 to 36 hours.