Severe Winds Delay Cologne Christmas Markets Before Afternoon Reopening

Storm warnings across North Rhine-Westphalia prompted temporary closures, but conditions improved by Friday afternoon.

The German Weather Service (DWD) issued storm warnings for nearly all of North Rhine-Westphalia, with wind speeds reaching up to 90 km/h in some areas.
Cologne's Christmas markets were instructed to remain closed on Friday morning due to safety concerns over high winds.
Following an improvement in weather conditions, the markets reopened in the afternoon after consultation with meteorologists.
The weekend forecast predicts continued rain, strong winds, and occasional snow in higher elevations, with temperatures ranging from 3°C to 11°C.
While weather disruptions affected outdoor events, other areas in Europe, such as Amsterdam, experienced flight delays due to the storm.