White out for western Europe

Western Europe is facing a white out, with forecasters predicting snowfall across France, Switzerland, parts of Spain and Italy. To the east of Paris, the ground is already covered and more is expected as far south as the Mediterranean. Geneva airport was blocked up for nine hours yesterday, with 15 centimetres of snow recorded in the first major fall of the winter. Around 120 flights were cancelled.

Some stranded passengers were transferred to Zurich airport by train. Northern and central Italy was blanketed in snow. Authorities are warning that the wintry front will also bring a sharp drop in temperatures, down to as low as minus ten degrees Celsius and remaining below freezing for several days. In northern Spain, residents have been told to expect snow, and to use their cars only in emergencies.

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