The German Weather Service (DWD) has published a Warning of heavy snowfall and icy conditions for North Rhine-Westphalia issued. Especially in higher regions such as the Bergisches Land and the Eifel could see up to 30 centimeters of fresh snowfall on Friday and over the weekend. Even if there will probably be no closed snow cover in the city center of Cologne, there is increased danger for road users due to slush and slippery roads.

According to the current forecast, precipitation may increase on Friday evening also in the Bay of Cologne although mostly only light snow or slush is expected there. In surrounding towns such as Brühl or Frechen, temporary snow cover of around one centimeter is possible, with regional highs of up to seven centimeters and more in the Eifel and Bergisch regions.

In the Saturday night According to the DWD, further Snow showers with local icy conditions, before winter conditions return at the weekend with some further snowfall and frosty temperatures is to be expected. Drivers and pedestrians should pay particular attention to Slippery road sections, visibility obstructions and winter traffic conditions. (German Weather Service)

Source: t-online.de, based on warnings from the German Weather Service (DWD). (t-online - Cologne)

The warning levels of the German Weather Service (DWD)

The German Weather Service distinguishes between Four official warning levels, which regionally different can apply. Depending on the city, district or altitude, different warning levels can be active at the same time in NRW.

Warning level 1 - Weather warning (yellow)

This level indicates possible weather hazards.
With snow, this usually means light snowfall, slush and slippery roads with initial traffic obstructions.
In cities like Cologne, this is often the highest warning level in winter weather.

Warning level 2 - Severe weather warning (orange)

This is already a dangerous weather situation. Heavy snowfall, several centimetres of fresh snow in a short space of time and significant restrictions on road traffic are typical. In NRW, this stage often affects the Bergisches Land, the Sauerland or the Eifel.

Warning level 3 - severe weather warning (red)

The severe weather warning signals acute danger. In the event of snow, there may be heavy continuous or heavy snowfall with 15 to 30 centimetres of fresh snow. Traffic and infrastructure disruptions are possible. This level rarely occurs in NRW, but occasionally at higher altitudes.

Warning level 4 - Extreme thunderstorm (violet)

This level stands for exceptional weather situations with an emergency character.
It is accompanied by extreme amounts of snow and massive traffic or power outages. This warning level is extremely rare in North Rhine-Westphalia and is more common in the Alpine region.

Why warning levels apply locally

The warning levels are not assigned uniformly throughout the country.
While in the Cologne city center Often only yellow or orange applies, the Eifel or Sauerland can fall under orange or red at the same time. High-altitude areas are particularly affected.

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This means that up to 30 centimeters of fresh snow can apply to parts of NRW - not automatically to Cologne itself.