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Severe Winter Weather Grounds Flights Across Central Europe

1/13/2026

42 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport closed due to black ice, suspending all flights.
Vienna International Airport resumed operations after clearing ice, though delays persisted.
Prague Vaclav Havel Airport operated in limited capacity.
Bratislava's airport faced closures.
Kittilä Airport canceled flights as temperatures dropped to minus 37 C, amid a winter harsher than previous years across northern, central, and eastern Europe.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1888, occurring from March 11-14, resulted in over 400 deaths and disrupted transportation across the northeastern U.S. This catastrophic event prompted advancements in weather forecasting by the U.S. Weather Bureau, established in 1870. Today’s severe winter conditions in Europe highlight the ongoing challenges of extreme weather, emphasizing the need for improved preparedness and response strategies.

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Story summary

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport closed due to black ice, suspending all flights.
Vienna International Airport resumed operations after clearing ice, though delays persisted.
Prague Vaclav Havel Airport operated in limited capacity.
Bratislava's airport faced closures.
Kittilä Airport canceled flights as temperatures dropped to minus 37 C, amid a winter harsher than previous years across northern, central, and eastern Europe.

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