Winter tightens its grip across eastern Europe by Matt Taylor
The freezing conditions which have been widely reported across Russia over the past week, have now firmly gripped parts of eastern Europe.
Cold northerly winds, being pushed around an area of high pressure, have sent temperatures tumbling in the Russian capital of Moscow recently. Maximum daytime temperatures reached just -21C (-6F) one day last week, well below the average maximum of -9C (16F).
The cold blast has now spread further south to affect many eastern European countries from Lithuania to Turkey, where there are many reports of hypothermia and weather-related deaths.
Any holidaymakers hoping to get away for some pleasant winter sunshine in Turkey would have been thoroughly disappointed. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures today in Ankara and Istanbul have caused major traffic problems. Several accidents have snarled traffic in the areas.
In northern parts of Romania, temperatures fell to -25C on Sunday night and heavy snowfall block roads and railways. Now the main fear is of gas shortages, as the gas supply is currently half the normal levels in some parts. Authorities are fighting to keep energy supplies running and roads and rails in working order, and health authorities are on full standby for further health problems.
There is some relief in sight however, as temperatures are set to climb slightly over the coming week.
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