Storms in northern Europe paralyze transport and cut power to thousands
A violent wave of severe weather and high winds swept across large parts of northern Europe, causing widespread disruption to transport and energy sectors and paralyzing the daily lives of millions. These intense winter storms left hundreds of thousands of homes without power, forced school closures, and led to the cancellation of major sporting events, amid official warnings of the severity of the situation.
Regarding the impact on air traffic, approximately 50 flights were canceled at Heathrow Airport in London, disrupting the plans of thousands of passengers. The disruption wasn't limited to the UK; it extended across a wide geographical area, from the Czech Republic to Moscow, where authorities were forced to cancel more than 300 flights at the city's four main airports due to poor visibility and hazardous flying conditions.
On the energy front, hundreds of thousands were left without power amid freezing conditions. In France, the energy provider Enedis reported that electricity was cut off to nearly 320,000 homes, mostly in the Normandy region in the north of the country, where authorities recorded record wind speeds of 213 kilometers per hour in the English Channel. In Britain, around 50,000 homes remained without power until Friday afternoon, after Storm Gority brought strong winds and heavy snow to large parts of the country.
Contextually, these storms are part of a series of deep low-pressure systems that have been hitting Europe during the winter. However, the intensity and widespread impact of this particular storm have raised concerns among meteorologists. Observers believe that the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events reflects climate change, which is making storms more intense and destructive to infrastructure, thus necessitating more robust emergency strategies in European countries.
Authorities responded to these risks with strict precautionary measures, with meteorologists in both Britain and Germany urging residents to stay indoors for their safety. A rare "red alert" was issued for severe winds in the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall in southwest England, bringing train services in those areas to a complete standstill. The weather also forced the closure of more than 250 schools in Scotland and the cancellation of two Bundesliga football matches, reflecting the widespread disruption.
Forecasts indicate continued atmospheric instability, with the Met Office warning of "huge waves" that could pose a serious threat to coastal areas, and issuing an orange warning for snowfall in Wales, central and northern England, with snow accumulations expected to reach 30 centimeters in some areas, foreshadowing further challenges for emergency and rescue teams in the coming hours.
