Snow storms and freezing cold continued to affect large parts of Europe on Thursday.
In Great Britain, the highest weather warning – danger to life – was issued in places as the storm known as Emma moved in.
The storm moving in over the British Isles is being described as the worst in decades. The BBC reports that 300 motorists were stuck in their cars in Scotland for up to 20 hours. In southwest England and southern Wales, the highest warning was issued. Dublin Airport has closed, and traffic across the British Isles is experiencing major disruptions.
”It looks like Thursday afternoon and into the night towards Friday will bring the most challenging weather,” says Alexandra Ohlsson, a meteorologist at SMHI.
Reuters reports from Poland that demand for gas and electricity has reached record levels as the cold weather has gripped the country.
Geneva Airport, which many fly to and from to visit the Alps, was closed for several hours due to heavy snowfall.
”The runway is open for departures”, the airport tweeted shortly after 11 am on Thursday morning. For incoming planes, the opening would be delayed by another hour.
The airport had previously urged passengers not to come there. Swiss authorities had warned of snowfall in the southwestern part of the country, corresponding to a Class 2 warning.
”We have cold air over Scandinavia and very mild air down towards the Mediterranean. So, along the border between these, we have this deep low-pressure system which is causing troublesome weather in places,” says Alexandra Ohlsson.
Source: TT
