Europe faces snowstorms and severe cold, temperatures drop below minus 40 degrees Celsius

Europe experienced mixed weather on January 3, as snowstorms and severe cold disrupted travel and forced school closures in Scandinavia, while strong winds and heavy rains lashed Western Europe, causing flooding and killing at least one person.

Temperatures in northern Europe have dropped below -40 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days. In Kvikkjokk-Årrenjarka in Swedish Lapland, the temperature was recorded at -43.6 degrees Celsius, the lowest level recorded in 25 years.

Snowstorms and plunging temperatures have disrupted travel across northern Europe, with some bridges closed and some train and ferry services suspended.

People in most parts of Denmark are being advised to avoid going out and driving unless necessary as high winds and snow are affecting parts of the north and west of the country.

Cold air from Siberia and the Arctic also swept down to western Russia, causing temperatures in the capital Moscow and other areas to drop to -30 degrees Celsius, much lower than the average temperature of early January.

Authorities in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions have issued orange weather warnings, advising people to take precautions against health risks.

Meanwhile, parts of Western Europe were hit by Storm Henk. The storm brought heavy rain that caused widespread power outages, travel disruptions and extensive property damage in the UK. A driver in England died after a falling tree hit his car.

In the Netherlands, the water authority said a small section of a dyke that regulates water levels was washed away on the afternoon of January 3. Water levels on the Maas River near the city of Maastricht continued to rise.

In France, heavy rains in the Pas-de-Calais and Nord regions since December 31, 2023, have forced 200 people to evacuate and cut off power to 10,000 households. Roads in the town of Blendecques have turned into rivers, and authorities have warned residents in flood-warned areas to limit their movements until water levels subside.

Hundreds of rescue workers from across France have been mobilized to rescue people trapped in flooded homes and clear roads.

The French weather agency maintained flood and wind warnings for parts of northern France, as well as the border areas with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, on January 4. The rain is expected to be accompanied by strong winds of up to 100km/h.

Meanwhile, many areas in Germany are also struggling with flooding and the situation is likely to worsen as heavy rain is forecast to continue affecting the state of Lower Saxony.