Last weekend, the winter road clearance team from Aachen's municipal services were once again in full operation. "We were able to quickly make the roads and paths in priority levels one and two passable," explains winter service manager Dieter Bohn. One challenge was the layers of ice that formed on the damp ground due to the precipitation and low temperatures. "We apply a combination of 70 percent dry salt and 30 percent wet salt. The dry salt is moistened with brine just before it hits the road. Nevertheless, it took a while for the effect to kick in."

The situation in Aachen remained calm today, Monday, January 12. The team was able to enter emergency level three from 9.30 am. "We are continuing to monitor the situation and are on the road wherever necessary," says Bohn.

The municipal cemeteries will all gradually reopen during the course of the day. Some of the main paths have been cleared and gritted, as have the burial paths.