Schools close as Germany set to be hit by major winter storm

Germany is bracing for a major snowfall this weekend and the anticipation has forced the cancellation of the ruling party's first meeting of the year, school closures and flight delays as residents await the worst.

The German Weather Service DWD has forecast strong snowstorms to hit the country overnight, particularly in eastern and central Germany as well as between the northern cities of Bremen and Hamburg.

A DWD meteorologist on Thursday described the expected weather as "extreme," with some parts of Germany set to be hit by up to 20 centimetres of snow on Friday.

While parts of Germany have been covered by snow and ice for days, the weather service warned that the oncoming "combination of wind and snow" could cause chaos and lead to severe traffic disruptions.

Storm Elli is expected to unleash its full force on Friday, before losing in strength and moving east towards the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Germany's governing Christian Democrats (CDU) cancelled their first major party meeting of the year ahead of the expected worsening weather, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.

"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," the CDU spokeswoman said.

Some 350 participants including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and some 100 media representatives were due to gather for the two-day party conference in Mainz, just outside Frankfurt.

Merz said the party leadership plans to hold an online meeting instead "and pass a few resolutions there."

Weather provoking transportation delays

Initial weather-related delays were reported at Frankfurt Airport on Wednesday evening and restrictions continued to hamper operations at Germany's largest aviation hub on Thursday.

German railway operator Deutsche Bahn has also asked passengers to brace for expected delays and cancellations on long-distance services, while authorities have asked residents to avoid car journeys if possible.

Schools in Hamburg and Bremen, as well as in the northern state of Lower Saxony are set to remain closed on Friday, authorities said.

With hundreds of thousands of pupils affected, schools have been asked to switch to long-distance learning and offer emergency care for children whose parents cannot stay home.

Carmaker Volkswagen said it plans to suspend production at its Emden plant in north-western Germany on Friday due to potential weather-related disruptions for employees and the supply chain.

Ferry services to a number of Germany's North Sea islands, including Langeoog, Norderney and Wangerooge, are set to be suspended on Friday in anticipation of storms.

Elderly man dies, stores run out of salt

A 86-year-old man has died in hospital after being hit by a gritter, police said on Thursday.

The vehicle had cleared a municipal car park in the south-western town of Villingendorf on Wednesday and was attempting to turn onto the road when it hit the pedestrian.

Meanwhile, some shops were running out of salt as people were stocking up on gritting materials, shovels and sledges.

Numerous large home improvement retailers reported having temporarily run out, though they expect deliveries within the next two days, according to a survey by dpa.

The German Football League (DFL) said that while it was "alarmed" in light of the forecast, it currently expects all Bundesliga matches to go ahead as planned on the weekend.