Europe’s transport networks remained heavily disrupted on Tuesday as below-freezing temperatures and snowfall caused a second day of travel chaos across the continent, with at least five fatalities reported in France alone.
French authorities confirmed that three people died in black ice–related accidents in southwestern France on Monday morning. In the Paris region, a taxi driver succumbed to injuries after veering into the Marne River on Monday night, while his passenger was treated for hypothermia. Another motorist east of Paris also lost their life in a collision with a heavy goods vehicle.
Across the English Channel, Britain experienced record-low temperatures, with Norfolk in eastern England dropping to −12.5°C overnight. The Met Office described Monday night as “the coldest of the winter so far,” issuing snow and ice alerts across nearly all of the United Kingdom, with further snowfall expected.
The Netherlands faced similar disruption, with temperatures below −10°C halting trains and grounding over 400 flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Tuesday. Dutch rail services operated on a limited schedule after 10:00 am (0900 GMT), leaving passengers to contend with significant delays.
In Britain, airports in Liverpool and Aberdeen reopened after closures on Monday, while Scottish train services and more than 300 schools remained affected. Scottish Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop warned that snow and ice in northern Scotland would continue to disrupt travel and pose safety risks.
France saw smaller regional airports temporarily close, though Paris’ main hubs Charles de Gaulle and Orly remained operational with no flight cancellations. Snow that fell across the capital on Monday created hazardous conditions for pedestrians, particularly on the cobbled streets and steep stairways of Montmartre. Tour guide Valeria Pitchouguina described navigating the icy district as “less like climbing Montmartre and more like climbing Mont Blanc.”
Hungary also prepared for a second day of snowfall, with some northeastern roads and railways already impassable. Construction and Transport Minister Janos Lazar advised citizens to travel only when absolutely necessary.
Authorities across Europe continue to urge residents to exercise caution, work from home where possible, and plan ahead as the severe winter conditions persist.
