Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Record Winter Storms Around The World





Heavy snowfall has caused widespread disruption in many parts of Greece, including the capital -- Athens, on Monday, February 15, 2021, resulting in delayed transport, power outages, and suspended services. According to the National Meteorological Service, this was the country's 'fiercest' snowfall in terms of intensity and volume in 12 years.

The snow, which is common in the north but rare in the capital, put many services across the country to a standstill. Most public transport services were delayed, while toppled trees caused power outages in several mountainside suburbs.

Parts of the nation's main highway were closed, most ferry services to the islands were canceled, and flights from regional airports disrupted.

The fire service said they received more than 600 calls for assistance in greater Athens alone.

"The calls mainly concerned downed trees and transporting people stuck in their vehicles to a safe place, but also to transport kidney dialysis patients to receive treatment," fire service spokesman Vassilis Vatharakoyiannis told the state TV.




At least 20 dead as record-cold winter storms sweep across U.S., leave millions without power

Joseph Weber


As least 20 deaths in the U.S,. are now being attributed to the powerful winter storm that has overwhelmed power grids across the country and left millions in freezing-cold temperatures without electricity.

Among those who have died as a result of the severe weather – which has stretched into Canada and Mexico – are three people found dead after a tornado struck a beach town in North Carolina’s Brunswick County and four family members died in the Houston area who died in a house fire while using a fireplace to stay warm, according to the Associated Press.

The storm has also dumped snow and freezing rain from Texas to the Deep South to New England. As many as 2 million in Texas were without power as of late Tuesday. Temperature in the state as of Wednesday morning were still in the single digits.

In addition, over 250,000 people have lost power across parts of Appalachia, and another 200,000 were without electricity following an ice storm in northwest Oregon, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility outage reports.



Japan snowstorm leaves part of the country cut off

Rupert Wingfield-Hayes


A massive snow storm that has dumped a metre and a half of snow in some areas of the country has left areas cut off and hundreds of cars and trucks stranded.

The storm has killed at least 12 people and injured more than 1,000 others. 

Some areas of the north of the country remain cut off and troops are helping to dig out hundreds of stranded cars and trucks .


Photos from around the world show cities hit by record-setting snowstorms

CAMERON JENKINS


Cities across the nation and the globe are facing blistering cold winters this year, with many seeing record-breaking snowfall.

From Tennessee to Athens, Greece, already freezing temperatures have plunged further this week as the polar vortex envelopes the northern hemisphere.

Within the past few weeks, Moscow, Chicago, Madrid and more have been blanketed with snow, in some cases reporting multiple feet of accumulation. The storms in the U.S. particularly ramped up over President's Day weekend.


In Kansas City, residents have been hit with record-breaking low temperatures with -32 degree wind chill. Officials have called for those braving the cold to be sure to bundle up. And in Texas, millions are without power as the electric grid struggles to keep up during snow and ice storms

The snow has created dramatic scenes across the globe, with historic spots that rarely see snow getting a dusting and usually busy highways slowed to a stop. 

Here are just some photos of how the snow is piling up around the world:


Heavy snowfall within Moscow, Russia, has brought life almost to a standstill for many. What some are calling a "snow apocalypse" has affected transportation both on the ground and in the air.

The city reported several flight delays as well as pedestrians struggling to travel as they also brave nearly 40 mph gusts of wind.

Nearly 22 inches of snow had accumulated in the city as of Saturday, according to Reuters, which also reported that the city set new daily snow records over the weekend.

Scotland, which usually averages 15-20 snow days a year, has faced similar challenges with transportation as snow continues to build up on its streets. 

On Wednesday, meteorologists warned of plummeting temperatures and strong winds, disrupting travel across the region. Snowfall within the United Kingdom has reached nearly 20 inches, the BBC reported. The U.K. recorded its coldest temperature in 25 years in Braemar in Aberdeenshire on Wednesday.


The capital of Spain has faced its heaviest snowfall in nearly 50 years. A storm that hit southern and central regions of the country left three people dead, according to The New York Times.

The blizzards forced the closure of the Madrid-Barajas Airport and even suspended rail travel in some parts of the city.


Snow-dusted Jerusalem braces for further downfall on coldest night of the year

TOI STAFF

After seeing a light coating of snow that fell from Wednesday afternoon, Jerusalem residents were bracing for further downfalls overnight Wednesday-Thursday as meteorologists predicted the coldest night of the year in Israel’s capital city.

The snowstorm, which first hit Israel early Wednesday as heavy snow fell in the Golan Heights, was expected to continue throughout the night, dusting parts of the country in white from the north to the south, while other areas saw heavy winds and downpourings of rain.

Other areas will likely see unusually cold temperatures, scattered rainfall and strong winds, especially in the north and along the coast.


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