Red Code blizzard warning issued as 50 cm (20 inches) of snow disrupts transport in Bucharest, Romania

The National Meteorological Administration (ANM) upgraded earlier Orange Code warnings to two Red Code alerts valid from 04:20 to 08:20 LT on February 18, for Bucharest and Ilfov County. The alerts covered heavy snowfall, strong wind intensifications, and blizzard conditions.

According to ANM data, 30–35 cm (12–14 inches) of snow had accumulated by 04:30 LT, with an additional 20 cm (8 inches) forecast during the Red Code interval. In several sectors of the capital, total snow depth exceeded 50 cm (20 inches).

The Department for Emergency Situations transmitted a RO-Alert message shortly after 04:00 LT, advising residents to avoid travel during the Red Code period and to use alternative routes only in case of necessity.

The Inspectorate for Emergency Situations Bucharest-Ilfov (ISU BIF) reported 495 interventions in Bucharest, of which 330 had been completed by Wednesday afternoon, while 50 interventions were recorded in Ilfov County. Authorities confirmed 350 fallen trees in the capital, resulting in damage to 110 vehicles. Most operations involved clearing trees from roads, removing detached building elements, and restoring access routes.

ISU BIF stated that no injuries were reported. Emergency calls received through 112 were handled continuously in the field without crews returning to sub-units between cases.

The Bucharest-Ilfov Ambulance Service reported 485 emergency requests within 12 hours, while firefighters assisted ambulances that encountered difficulty accessing certain streets due to heavy accumulation. Municipal officials stated that priority was given to ensuring access to hospitals.

The Bucharest Transport Society (STB) confirmed that tram lines 41 and 25 were temporarily blocked due to snow accumulation. Replacement bus services 641 and 625 were deployed to transport passengers. STB activated its winter intervention plan, mobilizing 33 tram snow-clear vehicles, 11 snow-removal machines, and 225 personnel. Authorities reported operational difficulties in trolleybus corridors where snow clearance of the first lane was delayed.

The National Railway Company announced that 20 trains were suspended due to snowfall and blizzard conditions. The Ploiești–Bucharest railway route was closed at approximately 05:00 LT after fallen trees damaged overhead contact lines.

Railway officials reported voltage loss on the contact network beginning around 02:11 LT, with further damage identified at 03:15 LT affecting both traffic lines. Intervention teams were deployed to remove fallen trees, repair broken consoles, and restore the power supply.

At Bucharest North Railway Station, several trains recorded delays of up to 180 minutes (3 hours), with some reports indicating longer disruptions as operations remained dynamic.

Air traffic at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport and Bucharest Băneasa Aurel Vlaicu International Airport was disrupted throughout the morning. The Bucharest Airports National Company (CNAB) confirmed cancellations of LOT 643/644 Warsaw–Bucharest–Warsaw, TAROM RO 210 Chișinău–Bucharest, TAROM 810 Suceava–Bucharest, and Turkish Airlines 1043/1044 Istanbul–Bucharest–Istanbul.

Five aircraft were diverted to regional airports, including Varna, Sofia, Cluj, Craiova, and Athens. Airport authorities reported more than 20 departures affected in total.

CNAB stated that 58 snow-removal machines were deployed to clear runways, taxiways, and platforms. Additional delays were attributed to mandatory aircraft de-icing procedures after passenger boarding.

Authorities reported closures or blockages on highways A1, A3, A7, and A0, as well as on national roads DN 22, DN 2B, DN 23B, and segments of the Bucharest ring road. In several counties, including Vrancea, Galați, and Giurgiu, school courses were conducted online due to adverse weather conditions.

Following the expiration of the Red Code period at 08:20 LT, Bucharest and Ilfov County remained under Orange Code snowfall warnings valid until 16:00 LT. Yellow and Orange Code alerts were active in 25 counties across Romania.

By Wednesday afternoon, partial snowmelt combined with ongoing accumulation created large puddles and slush in parts of the capital, requiring continued sanitation intervention to remove water and compacted snow from streets and sidewalks.

February remains part of the climatological winter season in Romania, when Arctic air intrusions and Mediterranean cyclonic systems can generate heavy snowfall episodes across the southern plains. Urban centers such as Bucharest are particularly vulnerable to rapid snow accumulation when strong winds accompany frontal systems.

References:

¹ Capitala, aproape paralizată în urma codului roşu de ninsori abundente și viscol: străzi și bulevarde înzăpezite, curse aeriene și trenuri anulate, copaci căzuţi și maşini avariate – TVR Info – February 18, 2026

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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