Europe: Storm Malik to bring strong winds across parts of northern and central Europe through at least Jan. 31 /update 1

Event

Storm Malik is forecast to bring adverse weather including strong winds across Germany, Poland, Denmark, southern Sweden, southern Norway, and southern Finland through at least Jan. 31. The storm has moved over southern Finland early Jan. 30 but is still affecting most of Denmark, Germany, Poland, and southern Norway.

As of Jan. 30, authorities have issued the following warnings:

• Red wind warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): coastal areas of northern Germany and coastal areas of northern Poland.

• Red high water level warnings: north Zealand and Nordfyn coasts in Denmark; strong winds and high water levels are likely to cause major coastal flooding and significant damage to buildings. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas.

• Orange wind warnings: the rest of Poland; southern Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, most of Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, the rest of Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia states in Germany; the western coast and Gotland County as well as Skane and southwestern Smaland provinces in Sweden; coastal areas in western and northeastern Denmark.

• Orange high water level warnings: Halland County and Oresund in Sweden; Aarhus and Sejro bays as well as northern Little Belt in Denmark.

• Orange wind and snowfall warnings: Upplands and Roslagskusten in Sweden.

• Orange traffic weather warnings: Central Finland, Kanta-Hame, Kymenlaakso, North Savo, Ostrobothnia, Satakunta, South Karelia, South Ostrobothnia, South Savo, Southwest Finland, and Uusimaa counties in Finland.

• Yellow wind, snowfall, and high water level warnings: the rest of the affected area.

Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days. Sporadic power outages are possible throughout the affected area.

Storm Malik caused two fatalities in the UK Jan. 29 due to falling trees downed by strong winds. Authorities have evacuated 20 people with daily care needs from Frederikssund, Region Hovedstaden, Denmark, in advance of the storm due to the risk of flooding.

Transport
The winter weather could cause ground and air transport disruptions in the region over the coming days. Traffic and commercial trucking delays are possible along regional highways. Difficult and dangerous driving conditions are also likely on secondary and rural roads in the affected states as maintenance crews prioritize clearing major routes. Authorities could close stretches of highway if driving conditions become too hazardous. Gusty winds may threaten to topple high-profile vehicles throughout the affected area. Flight delays and cancellations are likely due to ground stops and deicing operations at regional airports.

Train services in Schleswig-Holstein State, Germany, are disrupted due to fallen trees. Almost all regional train services have been suspended on Zealand Island, Denmark. The Great Belt Bridge connecting Zealand and Funen islands in Denmark is closed through at least early Jan. 30 while vehicles vulnerable to winds are prohibited on the Vejlefjord Bridge. Several ferry services have also been canceled.

Advice

Monitor local media for updated weather information. Verify road conditions before driving in areas where heavy snowfall is forecast. Allow extra time to reach destinations in these areas and carry an emergency kit and warm clothes if driving is necessary, especially on secondary or rural routes that could become impassable. Plan accordingly for delivery delays if routing shipments by truck through the affected area. Confirm flights. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.

Resources

MeteoAlarm
Deutscher Wetterdienst (German)
Danish Meteorological Institute (Danish)
Finnish Meteorological Institute (Finnish)
Norwegian Meteorological Institute (Norwegian)
Poland Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (Polish)
Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (Swedish)