An early taste of winter across parts of Europe by Steph Ball
A plunge of cold air has descended across Europe this week bringing an early taste of winter for many parts and prompting many ski resorts across Norway, Austria and Switzerland to open early.
This time last year ski resorts were panicking with hardly a snowflake having fallen. Instead the Alps were more a lush green then a blanket of snow. However over the last week snow has been falling continuously across Austria and it has seen its earliest arrival of severe winter weather in decades.
On Thursday night, heavy snow falls saw thousands of drivers left stranded on a highway outside Vienna. It was reported that up to 5,000 cars were involved in a 21km jam along the highway. Up to 50cm (20inches) of snow is said to have fallen around Vienna making roads impassable.
In St Antonien and Braunwald, Switzerland, 64cm (25inches) and 72cm (28inches) of snow fell respectively last week. It was reported that Switzerland has not seen such a strong start to its winter ski season in over 50 years.
The plunge of cold air has also been felt across parts of France, Germany and Spain, reaching as far south as the Balearics. Even Majorca had a surprise on Friday, waking up to a blanket of snow on its highest peaks. Up to 15cm (6inches) of snow was reported.
And the UK itself is not immune. This Sunday morning, the Met Office issued a warning of heavy snow for the Pennine and Peak districts. And it looks as though before the day is through, some other areas may get to see some snow.
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