Red alert: severe snow and ice warnings Meeting of the "extrem weather conditions" crisis unit on Tuesday 16 January

For Wednesday 17 January, MeteoLux is forecasting localised snowfall of up to 15 to 20 cm in the north and 5 to 10 cm in the south, as well as a significant risk of freezing rain over the whole of the Grand Duchy.

The precipitation will probably take the form of freezing rain from 6 a.m. until late afternoon.

It should be noted that there is still some uncertainty regarding the amount of precipitation forecast.

In view of the current weather forecasts, a change to the red alert threshold has been triggered for early Wednesday morning. The "extreme weather conditions" crisis unit, chaired by the Minister for Home Affairs, Léon Gloden, met at 18:15 this evening to analyse the situation and to prepare and coordinate measures for the coming hours.

In the interests of prevention and anticipation, the government has decided to alert the population through various channels, including the launch of a GouvAlert alert and SMS.

It is important to be aware of the possible consequences and the following advice on behaviour:

Red alert: warning of heavy snow or icy conditions

Possible consequences:

• Very heavy snow or freezing rain, which could seriously affect the economy and human activities;
• Roads rapidly becoming impassable across the network;
• Risk of very serious disruption to air and rail traffic.
• Risk of localised damage to electricity distribution networks.

Advice from 6am on Wednesday morning:

• Stay at home if possible;
• Make only essential journeys;
• Listen to local radio stations if you have to travel;
• Inform family and friends of your departure and destination;
• Make sure you have a minimum of equipment in case you have to wait in your vehicle on the road (chains, shovel, blankets, food, etc.);
• Pay close attention to detours and traffic regulations;
• Protect yourself from falling;
• Remove snow and salt from the pavements in front of your house and avoid blocking drainage holes;
• Make it easier for road and motorway clearance vehicles and emergency services to get through, especially by parking your vehicle off the road.

The public is asked to keep a close eye on developments through official sources: www.meteolux.lu, www.infocrise.lu, @infocriseLU, @CGDISlux and the national media.

Exemption from classes in state schools

Following the decision of the crisis unit, the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth is exempting pupils from attending classes in state primary and secondary schools, as well as in specialist educational psychology centres, for the day of Wednesday 17 January 2024.

Schools, colleges and centres of expertise will remain open to receive pupils attending them. A reception service will be provided during school hours.

Educational and childcare establishments (crèches, day centres, school dormitories, etc.) will provide a reception service during normal opening hours.

All school buses, including the Mobibus and Adapto, will not run.

Please note that lorries over 7.5t will be banned from travelling to France from midnight.

The crisis unit will meet tomorrow morning at 6am.