Train to resume long-distance traffic towards the Baltic Sea - Winter storm Elli paralyzes Germany's trains as ice and snow shut down routes

Winter storm Elli has caused major travel chaos across Germany, particularly in the north. Heavy snow, ice, and black ice disrupted roads and railways on Monday, January 26, 2026. Deutsche Bahn now plans to restore long-distance services to the Baltic Sea region after a full day of cancellations and delays.

The storm hit hardest in northern Germany, forcing Deutsche Bahn to halt all long-distance trains on the Berlin-Stralsund and Berlin-Rostock routes. ICE and Intercity services also faced severe delays and cancellations in the Rhine-Main area and around Hanover by Monday evening.

Despite the ongoing challenges, conditions began improving later in the day. A Deutsche Bahn update confirmed progress in clearing snow and ice from tracks and switches. Hundreds of employees remained on duty overnight to ensure routes were passable. The company announced that long-distance trains would resume with the start of morning operations. However, travellers were warned that some delays and cancellations could still occur as crews worked to fully restore services.

Services to the Baltic Sea region are set to return after a day of severe weather disruptions. Deutsche Bahn continues to monitor conditions, with teams actively clearing ice and snow from critical infrastructure. Passengers are advised to check for updates before travelling.