Bit Nippy: Europe’s Winter Starts On A Serious Note …
- December 2nd, 2010
- Posted by EUEditor
Northern Europe this week began to freeze over with a severe cold snap to commence the Winter.
Heavy snowfalls have closed down services out of airports at Frankfurt and London, and in France and Switzerland.
Delays and closures are affecting rail services, including the London-Paris Eurostar; roads likewise have been cut, several travelers in Scotland and elsewhere stranded overnight; and the sudden heavy demand on heating fuel has seen a jump today (1.12.10) in world oil prices – up $US1.27 to $US85.03 a barrel.
Temperatures are running below normal, descending to under -20 degrees in Moscow and Warsaw, Paris expecting -5 degrees, London -6, Berlin and Stockholm also experiencing sub-zero figures.
Footnote: People in Northern Australia have been warned to prepare for a wet Summer with likely widespread flooding, the product of a La Nina climate event, and a continuation of now extended drought-breaking rains – their welcome at last wearing thin.
Reference
Bloomberg, NY, “Snow, frost, icy weather continues to disrupt air travel in UK, Germanyâ€, 1.12.10. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/snow-frost-icy-weather-continues-to-disrupt-air-travel-in-u-k-germany.html, (1.12.10).
Cornelius Rahn, “Severe Weather Shuts Airports in Europe, Halts Eurostar Travelâ€, AFP, Paris, 1.12.10.
Reuters, London, “Oil surges on cold weather, geopolitical concernsâ€, 1.12.10.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6AA0XV20101129, (1.12.10).
Pictures
Winter storm Europe 2005 – nasa