Freezing rain and ice disrupt journey throughout central and jap Europe

PRAGUE — Freezing rain and icy circumstances triggered widespread journey disruptions throughout central and jap Europe on Tuesday, forcing airports within the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary to postpone flights.

Flights to and from Vienna International Airport, one among central Europe’s busiest, have been briefly halted. Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport was pressured to limit arrivals, whereas Slovakia’s worldwide airport was closed for hours.

Hungary’s transport minister, János Lázár, wrote on social media that “freezing rain and extreme icing conditions” halted all departures and arrivals at Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest.

Vienna International Airport spokesperson Peter Kleemann informed the Austria Press Agency that incoming flights have been diverted to different airports resembling Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and Venice, whereas departures have been delayed. Operations have been resuming in late morning.

The chilly snap has additionally triggered disruptions to public transport.

After important snowfall final week, tram companies in Budapest have been disrupted attributable to accumulating ice, the capital’s public transit authority mentioned. Numerous nationwide and worldwide rail companies have been canceled or delayed.

Austria’s nationwide railway operator, ÖBB, mentioned delays have been anticipated within the north and east, together with Vienna, and urged vacationers to postpone non-urgent journeys.

Czech authorities mentioned some trains and buses have been canceled, and passengers from the capital’s major station confronted hourslong delays. They additionally mentioned the D8 freeway to Germany was closed attributable to an accident on the German facet. Parts of jap Germany noticed icy roads.

In Romania, which has had heavy snowfall over the previous week, temperatures in some areas have been forecast as little as -13 levels Celsius, forcing some faculties to maneuver lessons on-line.

Hungary’s Meteorological Service mentioned in a press release that important snowfall could possibly be anticipated within the east whereas rain and freezing rain was doubtless farther west.