A powerful winter storm is sweeping across large parts of Europe, causing widespread disruption to transportation, energy supplies and daily life, as heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and strong winds impact several countries from the Iberian Peninsula to Central and Northern Europe.

In France, the situation is particularly critical in the north and northwest, where snowfall of up to eight centimeters has triggered traffic congestion totaling more than 1,600 kilometers, with around 900 kilometers concentrated in the Paris region alone. The storm has also forced the cancellation of approximately 140 flights at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, affecting nearly 40 percent of scheduled operations during peak hours.

The severe weather has also paralyzed air travel in the Netherlands, where more than 800 flights were canceled at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport due to snow and strong winds. Hundreds of passengers were forced to spend the night at the airport as authorities struggled to maintain operations amid dangerous conditions.

In Belgium, at least 40 flights were canceled at Brussels Airport, while rail connections between Belgium and the Netherlands were temporarily suspended. Road traffic has been heavily affected, with long delays reported across several regions.

Further east, countries such as Germany, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Hungary are facing power outages, transport disruptions and heavy snow accumulation. In Hungary, snowfall levels not seen in nearly 14 years have caused delays in rail and urban transport systems, while tens of thousands of residents in the Balkans remain without electricity or water.

Across the continent, meteorological agencies are urging citizens to limit travel, follow official advisories and prepare for prolonged winter conditions, as Europe experiences one of the most intense cold spells of the season.