A severe Arctic blast has enveloped Europe, triggering a cascade of fatal accidents and widespread transportation paralysis. The continent’s most intense cold spell this winter has resulted in six weather-related fatalities and created unprecedented travel disruption across multiple nations.
France has borne the heaviest human toll, reporting five deaths linked to hazardous conditions. Authorities confirmed three individuals perished on icy roads in the southwest due to black ice accidents. Separately, a taxi driver died after skidding into the Marne River near Paris, while another motorist lost their life in a collision with a freight vehicle east of the capital.
Transportation infrastructure faced severe strain as Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport prepared to cancel 40% of flights and Orly Airport 25% to facilitate runway clearing operations. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport experienced its second consecutive day of cancellations with over 400 flights grounded, creating massive passenger queues. The Dutch national railway system remained suspended until mid-morning, operating at reduced capacity thereafter.
The Balkans confronted dual challenges of heavy snowfall and flooding. Sarajevo recorded 40 centimeters (16 inches) of snow accumulation, leading to one fatality when a snow-laden tree collapsed onto a woman. Widespread power outages affected dozens of Serbian villages, while Bosnia experienced river overflows and Albania conducted evacuations from flooded homes.
Meteorological agencies reported extreme temperatures, with England’s Norfolk region recording -12.5°C and the Netherlands experiencing widespread sub -10°C conditions. Britain’s Met Office confirmed this represented the winter’s coldest night, with nearly the entire UK under weather alerts. Scotland faced particularly severe conditions with over 300 school closures and major rail disruptions.
Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop urged Scots to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, emphasizing the continued risks from additional expected snowfall. Despite challenges, airports in Liverpool and Aberdeen resumed operations after Monday’s closures.
In Hungary, officials warned of deteriorating conditions with northeastern roads and railways becoming impassable. Construction and Transport Minister Janos Lazar advised citizens to venture out only for essential purposes as fresh snowfall continued.
Urban centers faced unique challenges, with Parisian pedestrians navigating treacherously icy sidewalks. Tour guide Valeria Pitchouguina described the surreal beauty of snow-covered Paris while noting the practical difficulties of navigating Montmartre’s iconic steps under icy conditions, comparing the ascent to ‘climbing Mont Blanc.’