Europe weather: Germany CUT OFF by heavy snow in unprecedented SEVERE weather conditions
GERMANY has been hit by severe weather conditions which stranded parts of the country with heavy snow as many European countries brace for the same disruption.
Europe weather: Germany hit with EXTREME snowstorm
Extreme weather conditions cut off the Bavarian municipality of Marktschellenberg, Germany, where as much as 1.5metres of heavy snow has fallen leaving residents completely stranded. Rescue workers were dispatched to assist locals after the huge snowstorm. Cars and houses were completely buried underneath the snow. The access road to the Buchenhoehe district was closed, leaving around 350 people trapped and dependent on food supplies by trucks.
Mobile reception was also affected by the storm making communication with rescuers even more difficult.
The brutal winter weather conditions have battered much of Europe over the past week and the “significant and disruptive” snow is set to continue across parts of the continent.
We have seen some significant and disruptive snowfall across parts of Germany and Austria
“Now, some of the higher mountain rangers have seen around three metres of snow and there is more to come. There is also snow across the Balkans working its way towards Serbia.
“By this stage it is just snow over the north over Greece, over the mountains. Further south, outbreaks of rain and actually the temperatures starting to rise.”
Forecasters across the UK have warned the so-called Beast from the East could make a return in the second half of winter.
The Met Office has warned temperatures could plummet sparking rain and snow towards the end of the month.
Weather: SNOW WARNING across parts of Europe
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: “Towards the middle of the month we are looking at things becoming more unsettled and changeable.
“There are signs of a growing risk of strong winds, rain and snow from mid-January into early February.
“We are expecting to see it turn colder with temperatures below average for the time of year although we will see some short-lived milder interludes.
“Gales will be possible in the north and west, and it will turn colder from the northwest.
“Some snow is expected in the north, especially in brighter, showery, colder interludes between weather systems.”