Europe and the UK are battling Storm Elli and Storm Goretti, weather systems that are causing disruption in both expected and unusual ways

13:33, Fri, Jan 9, 2026 Updated: 14:15, Fri, Jan 9, 2026

A snowplow in Germany

Burials are being postponed in Germany due to the cold weather (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Whilst Storm Goretti is bring sub-zero temperatures and snow to large swathes of the UK, Europe is also facing a wave of cold weather. Storm Elli has been battering the continent with even lower temperatures that have forced some nations to take drastic measures.

In Germany, where temperatures are feared to hit as low as -30 degrees, authorities in the city of Hamburg have banned burials. Said burials must now be postponed for at least a fortnight due to how difficult it is becoming to dig graves for the coffins.

As well as affecting the ability of people to bury their loved ones, the storms have also impacted transport services across the nation, with train provider Deutsche Bahn warning that long distance rail travel wasn’t possible due to the conditions.

Furthermore, the Mail reported that a political party, the Christian Democrat Union (CDU), had to cancel its first major meeting of the year.

A spokeswoman for the party told the publication: “Due to the severe weather warnings and the associated dangers, as well as the announced train and flight cancellations, we unfortunately feel compelled to cancel our annual kick-off meeting this coming Friday and Saturday.”

A man walks through the snow in Berlin

Germany and France are being hit by Storm Elli (Image: Getty Images)

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Meanwhile, Germany’s national weather service, the DWD, added in a statement that fresh snowfall would hit the likes of Bavaria.

They said: “Fresh snowfalls in the evening and the night into Friday arriving from the southwest, progressing northeast rapidly and later transitioning into rain in the west and south.

“New snowfalls of between three and 10 centimetres from the northwest via the central regions and through to Bavaria [in the south], and up to 15 centimeters within nine to 12 hours in flashpoint.”

Whilst Germany and France are being hit by high winds and snow caused by Storm Elli, Storm Goretti is pummelling the UK and the UK’s Met Office warned more may be to come after a calmer period on Saturday.

Storm Goretti causes major travel disruption and blankets nation in snow

The UK is battling Storm Goretti (Image: Anita Maric / SWNS)

Chief Forecaster for the Met Office Steve Willington warned: "Following on from a Saturday which will be largely dry away from northeastern parts of Scotland and England, a front from the west on Sunday will bring snow for parts of Scotland and northern England with low temperatures continuing the ice risk.

“A further 2-5cm of snow is possible to accumulate at low levels within the warning area on Sunday, with 10-20cm possible over higher ground.

“With much of this falling in areas that have already seen severe snowfall, ongoing disruption is likely. Those in central and southern England and Wales will see this fall as rain, in what will be a wet Sunday for many.”