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Winter chaos in Cuxhaven: Gray days and slippery roads await us!
Current weather warnings for Cuxhaven: Gray winter days, frost and squalls until the weekend, no idyllic snow cover in sight.
Winter chaos in Cuxhaven: Gray days and slippery roads await us!
When winter comes knocking on the North Sea coast, it's not always a happy event. Just in time for the end of the holidays, the German Weather Service (DWD) has predicted a frosty week for Cuxhaven and Cuxland. Instead of an idyllic winter wonderland, we can expect gray and cold weather that we would rather avoid than enjoy. As [cnv-medien.de](https://www.cnv-medien.de/stadt-cuxhaven/cuxhaven-und-das-cuxland-frostige-woche- stands-puenktlich-zum-ferienende-bevor.html) reports, storm gusts on New Year's Day with winds of up to nine contributed to the weather being described as "scary". Ice skating could be a slippery affair as the ice conditions are unsafe.
The forecasts for the next few days in particular are causing nervousness. Heavy snowfall is expected on Saturday, and the night before also caused a white surprise. The DWD warns of slippery conditions and frost until the early hours of January 4, 2026. Passers-by and drivers should be prepared for slippery roads and paths. A sustainable layer of ice on the waters is uncertain, which means that the popular ice rink in Altenwalde may have to be abandoned.
A cold past
While the current weather situation is unpleasant, it brings back memories of the snow disaster of 1978/79. Although current conditions do not suggest a similar scale, it is worth looking at history. The snow disaster began on December 30, 1978 and lasted until March 3, 1979. Within a very short time, a north-easterly situation led to a dramatic drop in temperature from around 10 degrees Celsius to -30 degrees in some cases. The winter storm, which then brought heavy snowfalls, caused traffic chaos and numerous power outages. Wikipedia states that up to 70 cm of fresh snow fell in Ostholstein, and the consequences were devastating.
During this time, roads were impassable, villages were cut off from the outside world and catastrophic conditions arose in many regions. In the GDR, the entire power supply temporarily collapsed. The consequences had far-reaching economic impacts, and many farmers suffered from the power outages as milking machines did not work. ndr.de mentions that 17 people lost their lives in the Federal Republic of Germany and several hundred in the GDR. Despite the tragedy, there were also positive aspects, such as a strong sense of community and neighborly help in these difficult times.
Current warnings
The weather forecasts these days show us that while we want to enjoy winter, we should not forget the dangers of the weather. Meteorologists are currently warning of heavy snowfall and squalls. The sea of cold air from a low pressure area in Scandinavia brings us not only frost, but also short-term thunderstorms. This brings us back to the current warnings for slippery conditions and frost in the region. As we brace for the cold, it remains to be seen what measures need to be taken to minimize the impact.
For many, winter is a reason for joy, for others it means challenges. The Cuxland is now facing a frosty week, while memories of the snow disaster of 1978/79 should teach us to be prepared. History shows that extreme weather events are not impossible, and we must always be vigilant.