A severe Arctic blast has plunged parts of Europe into chaos, bringing treacherous snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that have resulted in fatal accidents and widespread travel disruption.
France and Netherlands Bear the Brunt
The extreme weather proved deadly in France on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. Authorities reported three people killed in accidents in the Les Landes region in the southwest, with at least two more fatalities in the Île-de-France area around Paris. Heavy snowfall caused monumental traffic jams, prompting officials to order trucks off the roads.
Parisians awoke to a picturesque, snow-dusted city, granting some children an unexpected holiday as schools closed. However, the disruption was severe for travellers, with heavy snow forcing the closure of six airports in northern and western France.
The Netherlands faced similar turmoil. At Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, approximately 400 flights were grounded as crews battled to clear runways and de-ice aircraft. The nation's rail network was thrown into disarray by frozen points and a software glitch, with services around Amsterdam largely suspended. Commuters were urged to travel only if absolutely necessary.
UK Freeze and Balkan Perils
The cold snap tightened its grip on Britain, where overnight temperatures plummeted to a biting minus 12.5 degrees Celsius (9.5 Fahrenheit). Snow disrupted rail, road, and air travel, leading to hundreds of school closures across northern regions. Events from horse racing to football were called off, Glasgow's subway shut due to an ice-related power failure, and Liverpool's John Lennon Airport temporarily closed.
In Northeast Scotland, the situation was described as "critical" by lawmaker Andrew Bowie, who called for military assistance to clear snow and deliver supplies to stranded communities. Forecasters warned of up to 15 centimetres (6 inches) of further snow in northern Scotland.
The Balkans were also hit hard. A woman died in Sarajevo, Bosnia, after a snow-laden tree branch fell on her, while Serbia introduced emergency measures in western municipalities. Drivers faced perilous conditions, with black ice bringing traffic to a standstill on routes to ski resorts like Mount Bjelasnica. Heavy winds and stormy seas battered the Adriatic coastlines of Croatia and Montenegro.
Southern Europe Soaked and Chilled
In Italy, weeks of persistent rain swelled the Tiber River, leading to a muted Epiphany blessing by Pope Leo XIV in a only partially filled St. Peter's Square. Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, restricted access to parks due to risks of falling trees and flooding. While snow delighted skiers in the Dolomites, freezing temperatures are forecast for much of central and northern Italy in the coming days.
This continent-wide weather event underscores the profound impact of severe winter conditions on public safety, critical infrastructure, and daily life, with authorities across Europe urging extreme caution.
