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01/08/2010

Even more snow is on its way across Germany and much of Europe, weather forecasters predicted on Friday. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) put out a weather warning, saying the low pressure front "Daisy" would bring gale force winds and up to 50 centimeters of snow and could trigger road chaos and power outages over the weekend.

The storm is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of Switzerland, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, DWD predicted. The heavy snow was set to arrive over the Alps and gradually sweep northwards.

Germany's Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) on Friday advised people to stock up on basic supplies ahead of the plunging temperatures. Emergency services, meanwhile, were also placed on high alert. Flight cancellations, train delays and traffic problems are expected.

News agencies reported that the Red Cross has delivered heated tents to some cities to provide temporary shelter for the homeless. In Germany alone this week, at least 10 homeless people have frozen to death.

France, Spain At Risk

Meanwhile, France and northern Spain have also put out alerts that more heavy snowfalls are likely. Provence, in southwestern France, and other regions have suffered power cuts and traffic delays. A number of airports across Europe have been beset by delays and cancellations while the Eurostar high-speed train service on Friday cancelled half of its train services through the Channel Tunnel from Paris to London due to the extreme weather.

Weather experts said on Friday that the initial effects of "Daisy" had already hit Germany, with snow drifts and gale-force winds striking the Fehmarn Belt along the Baltic Sea. DWD forcasted that the storm is set to spread across the country over the weekend.

Among the recommendations from the head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, is that people should ensure they have enough drinking water, candles and medicines at home.

"Given that there is a shortage of salt, road travel maybe impeded by ice," the organization wrote in a message posted on its Web site. In many parts of Europe this week, both gravel and salt have been in short supply because of an unusual cold spell that has lasted longer than two weeks.