Yikes, the blizzard has struck Europe

by YankeeJim | December 18, 2010 at 08:44 am

320 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

Last year it was a volcano, and this year it is snow that is impeding air traffic to Europe. Hey, I am on my way. I am more accustomed to those gentle and milder winters in London at least.

I enjoy the walks on Hampstead Heath in the winter with a gentle snow and magpies roosting in the baron trees. I recall seeing flocks of parrots too and that was amusing.

Snow removal isn’t that great because the streets are so narrow and everyone gets socked in. But, the pathway from the airport to my destination should be clear by next week as I’ll be home there for Christmas, warm and safe I trust. Keep the water boiling.

“Snow and ice brings chaos to Britain, Europe

Heathrow Airport 'planning for the worst,' spokesperson says

LONDON — Heavy snow disrupted air travel across Europe on Saturday, while rail services and roads were also affected by the blast of wintry weather.

The fresh snow brought much of Britain to a standstill, on what is traditionally the busiest weekend for shopping and travel in the run-up to Christmas. London's Gatwick airport closed its runway due to snow, while British Airways suspended all flights from London's Heathrow airport.

At Gatwick, 47 snow plows and 150 staff were deployed in an effort to clear the airport's runway. In a statement, Heathrow said more snow was expected and that staff were "planning for the worst."

Airports in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Denmark also reported cancellations or delays.

Officials in France asked airlines to cut flights to Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport by 15 percent in the afternoon, RFI reported on its website.

Hundreds of motorists were left stranded on the major M6 route in northwestern England following a deluge. Police offered food and water to stranded drivers.

'Extraordinary' conditions
Most of western Britain, Northern Ireland and northern Scotland suffered blizzards, while southern England was also blanketed in snow, disrupting trains and road traffic in what Transport Secretary Philip Hammond described as "extraordinary" conditions.

British Airways canceled all flights from London Heathrow and all European and domestic flights from London Gatwick between 1000 GMT (5:00 a.m. ET) and 1700 GMT on Saturday.

Gatwick closed its runway to all inbound and outward flights until at least 1500 GMT after the accumulation of about 5 cms of snow, a spokeswoman said. About 200 of the day's 500 scheduled flights had been canceled by mid-day.

"Please do not travel to the airport if you are due to depart between these times," the airline said on its website.

It was the second time this month that heavy snow had forced its closure.

Arctic conditions also hit rail and road travel, with the media reporting that hundreds of motorists were stranded in their cars in freezing conditions in the northwest, with many accidents reported.”