Severe Winter Weather Causes Major Travel Disruptions Across Europe

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of the largest airports in Europe, has announced over 700 flight cancellations due to severe snow and wind conditions, following days of weather-related travel disruptions. More than 1,000 people were forced to spend the night at Schiphol, prompting the airport to set up camp beds and provide breakfast for stranded travelers. The situation is expected to worsen, with the number of cancellations likely to rise throughout the day. This significant winter storm has affected various parts of Europe, resulting in multiple fatalities. In France, five people died in road accidents on Tuesday attributed to hazardous road conditions caused by snow and ice. At Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport, approximately 100 flights were canceled Wednesday morning due to heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures, with an additional 40 cancellations reported at the city's Orly Airport, as confirmed by the French transport minister. Public bus services in Paris and the surrounding suburbs have also been suspended due to icy roads, although most metro and suburban rail systems remain operational. The Météo France weather service has placed 38 out of the 96 metropolitan departments, including the mainland and Corsica, on alert for heavy snow and black ice, with accumulations of 3 cm to 7 cm (approximately 1 to 3 inches) already reported. The cold snap is described as unusually severe for this time of year, leading authorities to urge residents in the Paris region to avoid unnecessary travel and telecommute if possible. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3