School cancelled, travel disruptionFrance was also bracing for Goretti, which will bring gusts of up to 160km/h in the northern Manche department. Schools will remain closed on Friday, and weather alerts have been issued in 30 other northwestern regions. In Germany, heavy snow and winds in the north were set to affect schools, hospitals and transport links. Leading car manufacturer Volkswagen will shut its northwestern Emden factory on Friday due to the snow, spokesman Christian Schiebold told AFP. ‘Consequence of climate change’The DWD says that the storm is expected to last until Saturday, with snowfall stopping on Monday.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 09, 2026 01:23 UTC