Heavy snow, strong winds hit Greece

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) - A severe weather front dubbed Barbara hit Greece’s capital region of Attica with snow Monday, placing the region on alert.

According to the National Meteorological Service, below-freezing temperatures as well as heavy snowfall are the main characteristics of the front, which has also hit other parts of the country.

The capital Athens was covered in snow while authorities shut down the public sector, schools, and most retail stores while most traffic and transportation was also disrupted.

Ferries were docked in the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio due to strong winds reaching up to 9 on the Beaufort scale.

Disruptions of trains and trams have also been recorded.

Attica’s northern suburbs were covered in snow on Monday morning, with the disruptive weather expected to last till Tuesday.

Authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary movement as roads have turned icy and the use of snow chains was mandatory.

On Sunday, parts of the Athens-Lamia national road were shut down while electricity was also cut in some parts of the capital.

A message was sent on Sunday via the 112 European emergency alert numbers to residents of some parts of the Attica region to remain indoors due to the snowfall.