Cold wave paralyzes Europe: Flights and trains disrupted in Britain and France
Large areas of northwestern Europe are experiencing a severe cold wave, considered one of the most intense of this winter, causing near-total paralysis of transportation in Britain, France, and the Netherlands. These harsh weather conditions, accompanied by heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures, have led to the closure of highways, the suspension of flights, and the cancellation of vital train services, including Eurostar trains connecting the British Isles to mainland Europe.
Widespread disruptions in the railway network
In a significant development in the crisis, Eurostar advised passengers traveling between London and the Netherlands to postpone their journeys due to the impossibility of running trains beyond Brussels because of heavy snow and ice. Six major trains between London's St. Pancras International and Paris's Gare du Nord stations were cancelled, while the remaining services suffered significant delays, disrupting passengers' schedules. This disruption comes just days after service resumed through the Channel Tunnel following a power outage that left thousands of passengers stranded.
In the Netherlands, the national railway company (NS) announced a significant reduction in the number of journeys, especially in the vital Amsterdam hub, urging travelers to avoid going to stations.
Climate context and infrastructure challenges
This cold wave is the result of an influx of extremely cold polar air masses toward southern Europe, a phenomenon that recurs during harsh winters. However, the heavy snowfall this year has posed a significant challenge to the infrastructure of the affected countries. These events highlight the vulnerability of transportation systems to extreme weather events, as airports and railway networks in non-mountainous regions struggle logistically to cope with the rapid accumulation of snow and the black ice that blankets the roads.
Economic and social impacts
The repercussions of this wave extend beyond mere travel delays, encompassing tangible economic and social impacts. Disruptions to air and land freight are causing delays in supply chains, and the closure of schools and businesses is impacting the daily lives of working families. Furthermore, the demand for energy for heating is soaring as temperatures plummet to record lows, placing additional strain on national electricity grids.
Record snow and heat figures
The Scottish Highlands saw snow accumulations of up to 52 centimeters in the Tomentol area, requiring snowplows to clear roads. In England, temperatures plummeted to -10.9 degrees Celsius in the Shab Highlands, with forecasts predicting temperatures as low as -12 degrees Celsius in snow-covered areas, prompting the UK Met Office to issue health warnings and ice alerts that will remain in place until the end of the week.
Airports paralyzed and schools closed
The aviation sector was widely paralyzed, with Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport cancelling nearly 700 flights, representing more than half of its daily schedule. In Paris, the aviation authority reduced flights by 15% at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. In the UK, Liverpool, Aberdeen, and Belfast airports were also affected by the closures.
On the educational front, authorities closed hundreds of schools, including 212 in Northern Ireland and dozens in Scotland and Wales, to ensure the safety of students amid police warnings about the dangers of driving on roads that saw a 40% increase in requests for assistance.
