Winter in Europe by Sarah Wilmshurst
Winter has taken a hold across Europe, with many countries suffering from intense cold, snow and travel disruption.
High pressure is currently sitting just to the west of the UK, with a low pressure system over the central Mediterranean. In between these two systems the wind is coming right down from the North bringing bitter Polar air with it. This means a spell of very wintry weather for many.
The Balearic Islands have suffered in the past couple of days, with very low temperatures and even some snow - the first snow in decades! At lunchtime on Wednesday the temperature in Mahon on Menorca was just 0.4C, and 8cm of snow fell. The January average temperature here is usually 13C. Snowfall forced the closure of mountain roads on the island of Mallorca as well, and the airport here was closed for a time.
Snow and gale force winds paralysed traffic in central Croatia, with several roads closed. Two motorways were closed because of the snow and drifts over 2 metres (6 feet) and coastal roads were closed because of the high winds.
Italy is also suffering from the winter weather. Some central and southern areas have had 4 or 5 cm of snow (up to 2 inches). In Trieste, winds of over 60mph caused problems to traffic, and knocked over pedestrians who were also skidding on the ice! Meanwhile Vesuvius is showing off its snow capped peak - something you don't see very often!
Another country in the grip of winter is Spain. In Granada temperatures into Wednesday fell to minus 9 Celsius (more than 10 degrees below average). Vitoria saw several inches of snow and mountain passes were closed in the northern Cantabria region.
Heavy snow has also fallen in Austria with 30cm (12 inches) in Vienna.
Things are only going to change very slowly over the next few days as the high pressure stays to the West of the UK, and the low drifts just slowly east. So, more winter weather can be expected in many parts of Europe
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