Killer freeze sweeps Europe

Heavy snow and a severe cold snap killed at least 36 people across eastern Europe yesterday as schools closed, roads became impassible, and power supplies were cut.

As temperatures dropped to around -20C, authorities opened emergency shelters and urged people to remain indoors.

Ukraine’s Emergency Situations Ministry said 18 people died of hypothermia in recent days and nearly 500 people sought medical help for frostbite and hypothermia in just three days last week.

Temperatures in some regions plunged to -16C during the day and -23C during the night.

At least 10 people have frozen to death in Poland since Friday as the cold reached -26C.

Yesterday temperatures fell to -26C in southern Poland.

In central Serbia, three people died and two more were missing and 14 districts across the country were under emergency plans.

Efforts to clear roads of snow were hampered by strong winds and dozens of towns faced power cuts.

The British isles are to see temperatures fall to as low as -10C this week, with Arctic winds sending a shudder down the spines, say forecasters.

A high pressure system over Scandinavia and western Russia is set to push raw, easterly winds towards Britain and Ireland as the week progresses, causing the longest spell of cold weather so far this winter.

Snow is also forecast in some regions over the coming days, with parts of Wales and England waking up to a dusting of up to 5cm yesterday.