Black ice caused by freezing rain produced traffic chaos in eastern Germany on Thursday morning. The worst-affected areas were Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, with additional patches of freezing rain and black‑ice formation reported in parts of Saxony and Saxony‑Anhalt.
The weather pattern stems from a high pressure system over Scandinavia. Its eastern flow steers cold continental air northward and eastward, while Atlantic low‑pressure troughs channel milder marine air southward and westward.
Several weather‑related traffic accidents have already been recorded in the impacted states. At Berlin Brandenburg Airport the current conditions have halted all take‑offs; the operator advises passengers to check the status of their flights. Landings remain permitted for now.
The German Weather Service will keep the warnings in force until Thursday afternoon, and they may be extended or broadened to additional areas if conditions warrant.
