Storm Elli's disruptions have expanded beyond initial Schleswig-Holstein impacts to northern and eastern Germany, prompting widespread school closures, ongoing rail chaos around Hannover, and forecasts of 10-20 cm snow in southern regions Saturday. North Sea gusts and a cruise ship's early return add to challenges.
Expanding on earlier milder effects in Schleswig-Holstein—where villages like Worth were isolated and ferries reduced—Storm Elli halted rail services around Hannover entirely Friday, canceling links to Frankfurt and the Ruhr area. DB spokesperson Achim Strauß stated long-distance trains in the north would resume only Saturday morning. In Hannover, Üstra suspended all bus services due to safety risks.
Schools shut in parts of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Berlin, and Saxony.
The DWD expects snowfall to ease overnight in the north and northeast, with minor coastal showers, while the snow line sits at 300-500m south. Saturday brings 10-20 cm to the Black Forest and Upper Allgäu, retreating south of the Main by evening. Hamburg Sea Weather Service warns of North Sea east winds force 8, gusting to force 10 (62-74 km/h, up to 102 km/h).
Cruise ship Aidanova returned early to Hamburg Friday morning, skipping Southampton. High water warnings persist for Lübeck and Baltic coast. Meteorologist Kent Heinemann urged: "Whoever can stay home should do so."