Following Storm Zoltan’s impact across northern Europe just before the holiday, Germany braces for heavy rainfall and snowfall in specific regions on Saturday.

Authorities caution about potential significant flooding in sections of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Bavaria. The German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts fresh snow from Thuringia’s forests to Bavaria at elevations above 600-800 meters.

In Saxony’s central Ore Mountains, substantial snowfall is anticipated, posing risks of tree damage and branch breakage.

Slippery conditions might arise from eastern Schleswig-Holstein and eastern Lower Saxony to western Poland due to slush.

DWD projects precipitation ranging from 60 to 90 millimeters over 48-72 hours in many areas, with some regions facing storms with 90 to 120 millimeters.

Eastern low mountain ranges are likely to experience a shift from precipitation to rain and thaw starting Saturday evening.

Storm Zoltan, crossing Germany on Friday, led to significant travel disruptions by road and train, causing icy accidents in Lower Saxony and a suspected tornado investigation in Cologne by the DWD.

Tragically, the storm resulted in fatalities in the Netherlands and Belgium, with a severe storm surge peaking in Hamburg late Friday morning.

Deutsche Bahn, the state-owned railway operator, anticipates high train occupancy over the weekend due to heavy Christmas traffic and travelers rescheduling journeys delayed by the storm.