Heavy Snow and Freezing Rain Disrupt Czech Republic

The news in Czech

Translation

In the Czech Republic, there was heavy snow and frost over the weekend. Up to 40 cm of snow fell in the mountains. Transport was severely disrupted, there were road accidents, and the airport was temporarily closed due to ice. Meteorologists issued an avalanche warning. People are advised to be cautious on roads and pavements.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: What did the meteorologists issue a warning about?

Meteorologists issued a warning about avalanches.

Question 2: What happened to the airport during the heavy snow and freezing rain?

The airport was closed for a short time due to ice.

Exercise: Vocabulary

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▌14/01/2025

Intense snowfall and freezing conditions have heavily impacted the Czech Republic over the weekend, causing significant disruptions in transportation and raising safety concerns across various regions. Beginning on Friday, the Krkonoše Mountains received up to 40 centimetres of snow, while the Jizerské Mountains, Jeseníky, and Orlické Mountains also experienced substantial snowfall. The Beskydy Mountains are expected to receive more snow, with forecasts predicting an additional 30 centimetres. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) has issued warnings for snowdrifts and potential avalanches in affected areas.

The snowfall has exacerbated traffic conditions, resulting in numerous accidents. In the Plzeň region, icy roads led to a severe accident on the D5 motorway, involving three vehicles, which tragically resulted in a fatality. Police reiterated the importance of caution and adaptability to drivers during these adverse weather conditions.

The disruption extended to air travel, with Václav Havel Airport in Prague halting operations temporarily due to freezing rain and icy runways, affecting several flights. Airport officials have been advising passengers to check for updates about their flights.

Sleet and icy conditions have also been reported in other areas such as the Šumava region and České Budějovice, and are expected to worsen as the weather system moves east. Meteorologists have warned that the risk of icy roads in Moravia and Silesia will likely increase during the night.

Heavy Snow and Freezing Rain Disrupt Czech Republic (Illustration)

In response to the inclement weather, regional road services have dispatched snowplows and gritters to ensure major roads remain passable. However, in some areas, like the Karlovy Vary region, authorities have cautioned against travel without snow chains, citing hazardous driving conditions due to continuous snowfall and freezing rain.

Public transportation has been affected in urban areas such as Brno and Most, where delays and route adjustments were necessary due to ice and snow. Similarly, in Ústí nad Labem, transit services struggled with icy hills and affected routes.

The adverse weather has not only affected Czechia but has also disrupted flights in other European countries, including the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, where major airports faced similar challenges due to winter weather conditions.

Officials continue to advise caution for both motorists and pedestrians, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and prepared as the snowy conditions persist.

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