Not Just April Showers: Cold Wintry Weather Grips Europe and British Isles

Europe saw a sudden and unexpected return to winter in recent days as temperatures plunged and heavy snow fell in several countries. The wintry blast followed a period of spring-like weather and confused locals and tulips alike.

Snowfall was reported in parts of Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Switzerland.

The big freeze was caused by frigid air coming from Siberia and has impacted the region as far south-east as the Aegean Peninsula.

The unusually cold weather led to travel disruptions and numerous accidents. Police in Slovakia reported that 24 people were injured Thursday in a 40-car pileup during a heavy snowstorm on the Diaľnica D1 near Poprad, shuting down the D1.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Met Office is predicting a wintry mix of weather in the coming days along with plummeting temperatures that may stay well into May. The change is due to freezing winds from Iceland.

Over the past week, temperatures have been as much as 10° C to 15° C below average across the continent.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)