winter of 2009–10 in Europe

The cold weather was caused by high pressure over Greenland and Iceland forcing weather patterns southward, a phenomenon described by meteorologists as the Arctic oscillation and also the North Atlantic oscillation which were negative compared to normal.{{citation| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article6982249.ece| title= Life in the deep freeze| work = The Times|date = 10 January 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604144717/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article6982249.ece| archive-date =4 June 2011 |author = Richard Woods}} The North Atlantic oscillation in Winter 2009/10 was lower than during any winter in over a century and this resulted in more easterly winds bringing cold air into Northern Europe from Siberia and the Arctic. Scientists have shown that El Niño, the quasi-biennial oscillation{{citation| title= Seasonal Forecasts of northern hemisphere winter 2009/10| journal= Environmental Research Letters| volume= 7| issue= 3| pages= 034031|date = 10 January 2010|author = D. Fereday, A. Maidens, A. Arribas, A.A. Scaife and J.R. Knight| bibcode= 2012ERL.....7c4031F| doi= 10.1088/1748-9326/7/3/034031| doi-access= free}} and solar variability all conspired to drive this extreme winter.

File:Roofs of Paris in December 2009.jpg

Light snowfall occurred in the UK on 16 December and weather warnings were given on most local TV stations; there were some traffic jams towards the south. The snow later spread towards France and northern Spain. In mainland Europe, early snowfall was seen across much of the western half of the continent. On 17 December, the Swiss canton of Grisons saw a record-low overnight temperature of −32 °C (−25.6 °F). This snowfall led to the shutdown of Utrecht Centraal (the largest rail hub in the Netherlands). While snowfall on highways led to the busiest morning rush hour of 2009, with a total of 671 km (417 m) in traffic jams.{{cite news|url= http://www.depers.nl/binnenland/361576/Drukste-ochtendspits-van-het-jaar.html|title= Drukste ochtendspits van het jaar|work= De Pers|date= 17 December 2009|access-date= 21 December 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091218065904/http://www.depers.nl/binnenland/361576/Drukste-ochtendspits-van-het-jaar.html|archive-date= 18 December 2009|url-status= dead}} The following day, heavy overnight snowfall caused widespread disruption across large parts of the South East, East Anglia, the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber in Britain. This snow was in the north half of a depression with east winds centred south of England. Several deaths attributed to the cold weather were reported.{{cite news|url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gV8Rxf2WHME7XwVV0USEblrKvHxQ|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091224124429/http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gV8Rxf2WHME7XwVV0USEblrKvHxQ|url-status= dead|archive-date= 24 December 2009|title= Subfreezing weather batters Europe, causing deaths and travel havoc|agency= The Canadian Press|first= Vanessa|last= Gera|date= 20 December 2009|access-date= 20 December 2009}}

During the night of 18–19 December, five Eurostar trains were stuck in the Channel Tunnel, trapping more than 2,000 people for up to 16 hours after the vehicles suffered electrical failures because of freezing overnight temperatures. Passengers were without heating, lighting and air-conditioning for several hours while food and water ran out.{{cite news|url= http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_468802.html|title= Cold snap lashes Europe|work= The Straites Times|date= 20 December 2009|access-date= 20 December 2009}} Some passengers were evacuated via service tunnels to car trains, while others were kept on their trains until the trains could be towed out.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8421875.stm|title= Thousands freed from Channel Tunnel after trains fail|work= BBC News|date= 19 December 2009|access-date= 19 December 2009}} Eurostar added special services on the evening of 19 December to transport "vulnerable passengers" between London, Paris and Brussels. However, a service from Paris became the sixth train to break down after becoming stuck near Ebbsfleet, Kent.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8422978.stm|title= Eurostar train becomes stranded on way from Paris|work= BBC News|date= 19 December 2009|access-date= 19 December 2009}} The cause of the breakdowns was unclear; Eurostar initially blamed the sudden contrast between freezing temperatures above ground and the {{convert|25|C}} heat of the tunnel, which affected the high-speed engines.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/dec/20/eurostar-suspended-cold-snap|title= Snow brings travel chaos across UK as Eurostar trains suspended|work= The Guardian|first= Matthew|last= Wainwright|date= 20 December 2009|access-date= 20 December 2009 | location=London}}

On 19 December, a daily high temperature of -11.5 °C (11.3 °F) was recorded in Mainz, Germany, making it remaining in the two digit negatives all day for the first time since 1956. On the 20th, the December record low of -16.5 °C (2.3 °F) was set with great distance (previously -13.9 °C), and also overall the lowest temperature measured since 1979{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/observations_germany/climate/daily/kl/historical/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201230638/ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/observations_germany/climate/daily/kl/historical/ |archive-date=2015-12-01 |url-status=dead |title=FTP link |work=ftp-cdc.dwd.de }}

On 20 December in the Netherlands, the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) issued an official weather alarm for the entire country following heavy snowfall ({{convert|15|-|20|cm|disp=or|abbr=on}}) in the west, which eventually spread to the entire country. In most cities bus services were halted and tram service was halted in all four major cities.

In northern Italy several locations recorded the lowest temperatures since 1985, with one low reaching −17 °C (1.4 °F).{{cite news|url= http://www.meteogiornale.it/notizia/16901-1-il-gelo-del-20-dicembre-2009-e-gia-storia|title=Il gelo del 20 dicembre 2009 è già storia |date= 21 December 2009|access-date= 21 December 2009}}

File:Wroclaw snow 09.jpg, Poland, 20 December 2009|alt=Aerial view of snowy Wrocław, Poland]]

Police in Poland reported that 15 people froze to death in the country as overnight temperatures fell as low as {{convert|-20|C}} and 47 people died indirectly as a result of the cold during the month of December. Public appeals were made to the Polish community to report any homeless or drunk people lying outdoors, in an attempt to reduce the number of deaths from exposure to the cold.{{cite news|url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gV8Rxf2WHME7XwVV0USEblrKvHxQ|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091224124429/http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gV8Rxf2WHME7XwVV0USEblrKvHxQ|url-status= dead|archive-date= 24 December 2009|title= 15 people die as temperatures fall far below freezing|agency= The Canadian Press|date= 20 December 2009|access-date= 20 December 2009}}

In Kosovo, one person died and ten people were injured in traffic accidents because of poor weather conditions. Kosovo Police spokesperson, Arbër Beka, said that one person died in an accident which occurred near Đakovica; there were injuries reported in 16 traffic accidents, and a total of 74 accidents causing property damage. The local police called on residents to be careful on the roads because of the heavy snowfall and very difficult driving conditions.[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&dd=20&nav_id=63886 "Weather causes problems in Kosovo"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606111143/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&dd=20&nav_id=63886 |date=6 June 2011 }} B92 20 December 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2009

On 21 December, the M25 motorway and large parts of the M3, M4, M40, M1 and M11 motorways in the United Kingdom were brought to a standstill until late at night and many towns were gridlocked. About 100 people were able to travel from London Victoria Station to Ashford International railway station on a steam train hauled by the locomotive Tornado.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8428097.stm |title=Steam train's snow rescue 'glory' |work=BBC News |access-date=23 December 2009 | date=23 December 2009}} Widespread transport disruption affected parts of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland (except a few southern parts of Munster).{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8424338.stm|title= Cold weather causes travel disruption across the UK|work= BBC News|date= 21 December 2009|access-date= 21 December 2009}}

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, three people were found dead from hypothermia in Sarajevo and Teslić.[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&dd=21&nav_id=63926 "Three people freeze to death in Bosnia"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116082104/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&dd=21&nav_id=63926 |date=16 January 2010 }} B92 21 December 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2009

{{Clear}}

Fresh overnight snowfall brought renewed problems to parts of the United Kingdom. Particularly badly hit were north Hampshire and the Thames Valley in England. In Basingstoke, some 3,000 motorists were forced to either abandon their vehicles or sleep in them overnight after becoming stuck in gridlocked traffic; approximately 2,000 cars were abandoned.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8425718.stm|title= Thousands trapped in cars overnight because of snow and ice|work= BBC News|date= 22 December 2009|access-date= 23 December 2009}} The vehicle recovery service, AA, accused some local authorities of not acting quickly enough to grit the roads, claiming some "key roads" had "not been gritted at all". The Local Government Association dismissed the claims as "unverified, unsubstantiated and unjustified". A man found unconscious in his back garden on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, after a night out over the weekend died.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8425781.stm|title= Man, 35, found in his garden dies |work=BBC News|date=22 December 2009|access-date= 22 December 2009}} A homeless charity in France reported that 12 people died during December as a result of the severe cold.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BL28620091222|title= Eurostar trains resume, snow slows Europe travel|work= Reuters|date= 22 December 2009|access-date= 22 December 2009}}

On 23 December, overnight temperatures in the UK once again dropped well below freezing. Dalwhinnie in the central Highlands of Scotland recorded a low of {{convert|-16|C}} and Edinburgh recorded {{convert|-10|C}}, causing Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to state that conditions on Scottish roads were at their worst in 20 years.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8427781.stm|title= Christmas getaway weather problems continue|work= BBC News|date= 23 December 2009|access-date= 23 December 2009}} Air travel was disrupted in the United Kingdom, with Southampton Airport cancelling (or diverting) all inbound and outbound flights until midday due to a frozen runway. Train services were cancelled for most of the day from Southampton Airport Parkway. A Ryanair flight landing at Prestwick Airport overshot the runway; no injuries were reported and the airport was soon reopened.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8427830.stm|title= Aircraft slides off end of runway|work= BBC News|date= 23 December 2009|access-date= 23 December 2009}} Two women were killed and more than 40 people injured following a coach crash on an ungritted country road in Cornwall, as a party returned from a trip to see Christmas lights in Mousehole the previous evening.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/8427599.stm|title= Coach crash in Cornwall leaves two dead and 47 injured|work= BBC News|date= 23 December 2009|access-date= 23 December 2009}}{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8429346.stm|title= Festive getaway passes 'smoothly' on UK roads|work= BBC News|date= 24 December 2009|access-date= 24 December 2009}} Weather forecasters warned of icy conditions and further snowfall into Christmas Eve, particularly affecting northern England and the East Midlands.

In western Serbia, rapidly melting snow caused the Jadar River in Loznica to flood and resulted in farmland being submerged. Danijela Despotović, of the Hydro-Meteorological Service of Serbia in Loznica, said that the temperature was {{convert|-19|C}} in the town.[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&dd=23&nav_id=63975 "Temperature swing causes flooding"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606111301/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&dd=23&nav_id=63975 |date=6 June 2011 }} B92 23 December 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2009 Heavy snowfall began in Saint Petersburg, Russia. By 26 December the city was under 35 cm of snow, creating the largest December snowfall recorded in the city since 1881.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

File:Lockerbie, Scotland, 25 December 2009.jpg, Scotland, 25 December 2009|alt=Snow-covered rooftops in Lockerbie, Scotland]]

On Christmas Day, parts of Britain had a White Christmas for the first time since 2004 after snow fell in northern and central Scotland and parts of England (including Nottinghamshire).{{cn|date=October 2020}}

The Netherlands had its first white Christmas since 1981.{{cite news|url= http://www.knmi.nl/cms/content/26607/witte_kerst_in_nederland|title= (Dutch) Witte kerst in Nederland|publisher= KNMI|date= 26 December 2009|access-date= 25 December 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100119063711/http://www.knmi.nl/cms/content/26607/witte_kerst_in_nederland|archive-date= 19 January 2010|url-status= dead}}

On 26 December (Boxing Day), drivers in Northern Ireland were warned of icy conditions.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8430791.stm|title= Motorists warned to take care on icy roads in NI|work= BBC News|date= 26 December 2009|access-date= 26 December 2009}} Conditions in many other parts of the UK continued to improve as milder air moved in from the south. However, northern England and Scotland remained cold and nighttime temperatures continued to drop below freezing. Some Boxing Day sporting fixtures were cancelled (or postponed) because of continuing icy conditions in certain areas, including the National Hunt meeting at Towcester and all but two of the Scottish Football League's matches. Some parts of East Anglia suffered electricity cuts, including Dedham, Stratford St Mary and parts of Colchester; in more remote parts of the region, some were without power for 36 hours.{{cite web|url=http://www.electric.co.uk/news/tag/power-cuts |title=Power Cuts |publisher=Electric.co.uk |access-date=9 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819205616/http://www.electric.co.uk/news/tag/power-cuts |archive-date=19 August 2009 }}{{cite web|work=Herts Advertiser |url=http://www.hertsad.co.uk/content/herts/news/story.aspx?brand=HADOnline&category=News&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHAD&itemid=WEED24+Dec+2009+12%3A42%3A30%3A880 |title=Wheathampstead Power Cuts Are 'Not Acceptable' |date=24 December 2009 |access-date= 9 January 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://islington-libdems.org.uk/news/000772/power_cuts_in_hillrise.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021104330/http://islington-libdems.org.uk/news/000772/power_cuts_in_hillrise.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=21 October 2007 |title=Power cuts in Hillrise (Islington Liberal Democrats) |publisher=Islington Liberal Democrats|date=4 November 2003|access-date=9 January 2010}}

Parts of England again suffered power cuts on 26–27 December. Scotland experienced fresh snowfall overnight; Perthshire being the most-affected area, where between {{convert|12|and(-)|18|in|cm}} fell.{{cite news|url= http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1540191?UserKey=|title= Roads havoc as temperature plummets|publisher= Press and Journal|first= Catriona|last= Webster|date= 28 December 2009|access-date= 28 December 2009}}

Temperatures fell to {{convert|-16|C}} in Tyndrum overnight on 27–28 December, and to {{convert|-14|C}} at Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands. The Met Office issued fresh severe weather warnings and motorists were advised to drive with caution. The A75 between Stranraer and Newton Stewart was closed due to icy conditions; while the southbound carriageway of the A9 was blocked between the A824 and B8081 in Perth and Kinross following an accident at Gleneagles.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8432460.stm|title= Ice alert as temperatures plunge to −16C|work= BBC News|date= 28 December 2009|access-date= 28 December 2009}}

Temperatures dropped to {{convert|-18|C}} in parts of the Highlands overnight on 28–29 December, with Braemar recording Britain's lowest temperature of the Winter. Fresh travel warnings were issued on 29 December, as wintry conditions continued to cause problems on Scotland's roads. The runway of Inverness Airport was briefly closed because of snow and ice, and First ScotRail reduced its service to and from Glasgow Central because of the severe conditions.

However, the snow and icy conditions were good for the Scottish ski industry, which said the weather helped it to experience its best start to the season for several years.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8432460.stm|title= Travel warnings issued over wintry conditions|work= BBC News|date= 29 December 2009|access-date= 30 December 2009}} Warnings of heavy snow were issued for Wales, the Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, north-west England, eastern and southern England.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8432437.stm|title= Snow hits Wales and the Midlands with more to come|work= BBC News|date= 29 December 2009|access-date= 31 December 2009}} More snow began falling across parts of Wales/central and northern England on the evening of 29 December, with Wales recording the heaviest of the snow showers; some rural areas recording up to {{convert|30|cm}}. Snow was also reported in parts of the West Midlands region and Yorkshire.

On 30 December, Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) issued warnings about conditions on Scottish mountains. However, three people died in three large avalanches.{{cite news|url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5goM5jhhBUYkvn5NImh-lWgObRy8A|title= Three climbers die in avalanches|publisher= The Press Association|date= 30 December 2009|access-date= 30 December 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Two climbers were killed as a result of a snow slide on Ben Nevis, while a man was airlifted from Liathach (a mountain in Torridon) after getting into trouble, but died in hospital.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8434825.stm|title= Three climbers die in avalanches|work= BBC News|date= 30 December 2009|access-date= 30 December 2009}}

Continued icy weather in Scotland on New Year's Eve led to the cancellation of Hogmanay celebrations in Inverness, amid concerns over public safety;{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8435378.stm|title= Snow forces cancellation of Inverness Hogmanay party|work= BBC News|date= 31 December 2009|access-date= 31 December 2009}} New Year celebrations in other parts of Scotland went ahead as planned. Northeast Scotland experienced fresh snowfall during the afternoon and evening of 31 December. For a second time that week Inverness Airport was closed, forcing several hundred passengers to make alternative arrangements. In Batley, West Yorkshire, 2,500 gallons of water leaked into the local gas network; 400 homes in Dewsbury and Batley were without gas during subzero temperatures. The final homes were reconnected on 7 January.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/8439048.stm|title= Hundreds without gas after flood|work= BBC News|date= 4 January 2010|access-date= 7 January 2010}} There was also heavy snowfall in Dublin, Ireland, leading to the closure of Dublin Airport for several hours disrupting flights.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60002120100101|title= Dublin Airport suspends flights in cold weather|work= Reuters|date= 1 January 2010|access-date= 1 January 2010 | first=Andras | last=Gergely}}

In Dublin, the snow began 10 minutes before the New Year's Eve countdown.

Fresh overnight snowfall on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day caused disruption in North East England, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders. In some places it was as deep as {{convert|10|cm}}, and motorists were warned not to travel unless absolutely necessary.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8436969.stm|title= Heavy snow prompts travel warning in North East|work= BBC News|date= 1 January 2010|access-date= 1 January 2010}} On 2 January, the synoptic position settled with the jet stream in a route causing a blocking high in the eastern Atlantic. This diverted warm west winds to the south over the Mediterranean and subjected western Europe to cold north winds, warm weather around the Caspian Sea and unusually cold weather in China. A weather front brought heavy snow to north west England. In Britain many roads were closed, including part of the M9.{{cite news|url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/147689-widespread-problems-on-scotlands-roads-as-cold-spell-continues/ |title=Widespread problems on Scotland's roads as cold spell continues |publisher=STV |first=Graham |last=Fraser |date=2 January 2010 |access-date=2 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117195607/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/147689-widespread-problems-on-scotlands-roads-as-cold-spell-continues/ |archive-date=17 January 2010 }}

File:Antwerp, belgium January 3.jpg, Belgium, 3 January 2010|alt=Snow-covered Antwerp, with government buildings in the background against a blue sky]]

On 3 January parts of northeast England and Cumbria had {{convert|6|cm}} of snow, and Edinburgh had {{convert|9|cm}}.{{cite news|url= http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Weather-Motorists-Warned-Of-Icy-Roads-And-Snowfall-In-North-England-And-Scotland/Article/201001115513482?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_4&lid=ARTICLE_15513482_Weather%3A_Motorists_Warned_Of_Icy_Roads_And_Snowfall_In_North_England_And_Scotland|title= Motorists Face An Icy Return To Work|publisher= Sky News|first= Ruth|last= Barnett|date= 3 January 2010|access-date= 3 January 2010}} Europe's largest private-sector weather business, MeteoGroup, announced that the previous month was the coldest December (on average) since 1996.{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/6925487/Snow-continues-to-cause-chaos-across-Britain.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100105031731/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/6925487/Snow-continues-to-cause-chaos-across-Britain.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 5 January 2010|title= Snow continues to cause chaos across Britain|work= The Telegraph|date= 2 January 2010|access-date= 3 January 2010 | location=London}} Temperatures remained very cold throughout Ireland and Britain;{{cite news|url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5j81Fm5NwsIVBzCwuZMCXhPPjIauA|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100108054227/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5j81Fm5NwsIVBzCwuZMCXhPPjIauA|url-status= dead|archive-date= 8 January 2010|title= More snow set to blanket Britain|publisher= The Press Association|date= 3 January 2010|access-date= 3 January 2010}} however, Inverness Airport reopened after several days.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8436767.stm|title= Flights take off at weather-hit airport|work= BBC News|date= 3 January 2010|access-date= 3 January 2010}} It was announced that due to the cold snap, it would be illegal to shoot certain game birds. An all-time snow record in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, was measured at 62 cm (two feet).{{cite news|url= http://www.ilm.ee/index.php?46813|title= Tallinnas registreeriti lumerekord|date= 3 January 2010|language=et}}

The next day in Scotland, Fife Council became the first local council to confirm that its supplies of grit were exhausted after it received less than it had ordered from suppliers. Ministers denied there was a shortage of grit and salt, insisting there were "very substantial" supplies for Scotland's roads.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8438717.stm|title= Ministers deny salt supply crisis|work= BBC News|date= 4 January 2010|access-date= 5 January 2010}} In its monthly summary Met Éireann, Ireland's weather service, said December was the coldest month for 28 years for most of the country and the coldest of any month since February 1986 at several stations.{{cite news|url= http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0104/breaking26.html?via=rel|title= December was coldest month in 28 years|newspaper= The Irish Times|date= 4 January 2010|access-date= 4 January 2010}} Wintry conditions returned to Europe, as much of the northern hemisphere was gripped by intensely cold weather.{{cite news|url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article6975867.ece|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110501213305/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article6975867.ece|url-status= dead|archive-date= 1 May 2011|title= Arctic freeze and snow wreak havoc across the planet|work= The Times|date= 5 January 2010|access-date= 5 January 2010 | location=London | first1=Charles | last1=Bremner}} 13 people died in Poland, bringing the total number of cold-related deaths in Poland to 122. In Switzerland, ten skiers were reported dead or missing in avalanches. The worst incident occurred in the Diemtig Valley; avalanches hit a group of skiers and their rescuers, killing four people (including a doctor). Eight people were rescued, although three remained missing.

On 5 January, the Met Office issued weather warnings for every region in the UK except the Northern Isles. An extreme-weather warning was issued in the southern areas for overnight snowfall, which could bring accumulations from {{convert|25|to|40|cm|in}}.{{cite news|url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6976571.ece|title= Met Office warns of 40 cm of snow within hours in South East|work= The Times|date= 5 January 2010|access-date= 5 January 2010 | location=London | first1=Nico | last1=Hines | first2=Simon | last2=de Bruxelles | first3=Charlene | last3=Sweeney}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} BBC Weather and the Met Office also warned that temperatures in the Highlands of Scotland could drop to {{convert|-20|C|F}} later in the week. The Met Office also confirmed that the UK is experiencing the longest prolonged cold spell since 1981. {{convert|48|cm}} of snow fell in Aviemore, Scotland, and {{convert|3|to|4|ft}} of snow was recorded within the Cairngorms National Park. Most of Scotland had further snowfall during the night of 4–5 January.

File:Hamburg Germany Jan 6.jpg, Germany, 6 January 2010|alt=Ships in snowy Hamburg, Germany harbour]]

The synoptic situation in northern Europe settled into a steady northeast wind, which brought snow showers and belts of snow.

The British Army had to help stranded motorists in southern areas.{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-06/army-rescues-u-k-drivers-as-snow-snarls-transport-update2-.html |title=Army Rescues U.K. Drivers as Snow Snarls Transport (Update2) |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=6 January 2010 |access-date=6 January 2010 |first=Alex |last=Morales |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110005019/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-06/army-rescues-u-k-drivers-as-snow-snarls-transport-update2-.html |archive-date=10 January 2010 }}

The Met Office confirmed that {{convert|40|cm}} of snow fell in some parts of southern England.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8444399.stm|title= Severe weather continues to grip the UK and cause havoc|work= BBC News|date= 6 January 2010|access-date= 6 January 2010}} A severe warning issued by the Met Office was in place for every region in the UK.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said Scotland was experiencing its worst winter since 1963.

Further deaths in Wales, Shetland and Aberdeenshire were recorded. Hawick and most of the southern Scottish Borders was cut off from the rest of the country for two days,{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/lack+of+grit+isolates+hawick/3490962|title=Lack of grit isolates Hawick|publisher= Channel 4|date= 7 January 2010}} and roads in the southeast of England were left with traffic jams and abandoned cars. 8,000 schools were closed.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8442739.stm|title= Schools closed and travellers hit as snow continues|work= BBC News|date= 6 January 2010|access-date= 7 January 2010}}

File:Great Britain Snowy.jpg

The lowest registered temperature on 7 January in Sweden was {{convert|-40.8|C}} in Hemavan.{{cite web|author=Sveriges Radio |url=http://www.sr.se/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3355115 |title=Ekot news |publisher=Sr.se |access-date=9 January 2010}}

In the Netherlands and Belgium, road salt used to keep the roads clear of snow and ice was running out.{{cite news|url= http://www.elsevier.nl/web/Nieuws/Nederland/255161/Strooizouttekort-dreigt-Van-der-Hoeven-schiet-te-hulp.htm|title= Strooizouttekort dreigt; Van der Hoeven schiet te hulp (Dutch)|publisher= Elsevier|date= 7 January 2010|access-date= 7 January 2010}}

National and secondary schools in Ireland were supposed to open after the Christmas break on this day; however, many were forced to close because of weather conditions. On 8 January, the Minister for Education announced that all schools were to remain closed until at least Thursday, 14 January.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0108/educationweather.html |title=RTÉ News: All schools to close until Thursday |date=8 January 2010 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=9 January 2010}}

On the Luas Green line there were difficulties getting up slopes, such as those between Harcourt and Charlemont and between Beechwood and Cowper. This had caused some delays (especially when salt was scarce for sand tanks on the trams) for Dublin pedestrians. Major reservoirs in County Cork, County Dublin and County Limerick were critically low; in areas such as County Laois and the rural areas of County Cork, bottled water was supplied by the Irish army. This had also been done for the people affected by floods in October and November 2009. The National Grid issued its second alert in three days, asking suppliers to provide more gas and some businesses to switch to other power sources, as gas usage hit record levels.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8446487.stm|title= Gas usage set to hit new record|work= BBC News|date= 7 January 2010|access-date= 7 January 2010}}

BBC News reported heavy snowfall as far south as Granada, Spain on 8 January.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}

A new record of {{convert|-9|C}} was also recorded in Dublin, Ireland. Temperatures in County Limerick dropped to {{convert|-11.1|C}}. In Kuusamo, Finland, the lowest registered temperature was {{convert|-37.1|C}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/1135251983884|title=Kuusamossa talven uusi pakkasennätys|author=STT|date=8 January 2010 |access-date=8 January 2010|publisher=Helsingin Sanomat|language=fi|author-link=Suomen Tietotoimisto}}

In Norway, the temperature dropped to {{convert|-42.4|C}} at Tynset.[http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Hedmark/Tynset/Tynset~186990/statistics.html Tynset, Norway weather statistics]

In Germany more than {{convert|30|cm}} of snow fell on the island of Rügen, and the entire country was blanketed in snow. German officials also acknowledged a shortage of grit, and feared that high winds and drifting snow would lead to road closures.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8448095.stm |title=Germany prepares to face blizzard |work=BBC News |date=8 January 2010 |access-date=9 January 2010}}

In France, officials closed Autoroute 35 for trucks because of heavy snow, and over 400 truck drivers bound for Germany had to make an unscheduled overnight stop. In the early morning hours of 9 January, the autoroute was also closed to cars. The storm also grounded 160 flights at the Frankfurt am Main international airport.{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/0,1518,670947,00.html |title=400 Fahrer verbringen eisige Nacht an der Grenze|work=Der Spiegel|date= 9 January 2010|access-date=9 January 2010}}

Snow fell heavily in some parts of Spain. Prades (Tarragona, southern Catalonia) sported a 120 cm snow cover after a 30-plus- hour storm,{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} which led to an 18-hour closure of the AP7 motorway at La Jonquera (at the Spanish/French border).{{cite web|url=http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20100108/nieve-mantiene-cortadas-siete-carreteras-red-principal-puerto-san-glorio/310595.shtml |title=La nieve mantiene cortadas siete carreteras de la red principal y el puerto de San Glorio|date=8 January 2010 |publisher=Radio y Televisión Española |access-date=8 January 2010}}

Overnight temperatures of {{convert|-22.3|C}} were recorded in Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/6949626/Big-freeze-ice-warning-as-temperatures-hit-winter-low-of--22.3hC.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112014555/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/6949626/Big-freeze-ice-warning-as-temperatures-hit-winter-low-of--22.3hC.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 January 2010|title=Big freeze: ice warning as temperatures hit winter low of −22.3hC|last=Adams|first=Stephen|date=8 January 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 January 2010 | location=London}}

Deal and Sandwich in Kent, England, were virtually cut off by snowdrifts on 9 January.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8449956.stm |title=Heavy snow cuts off communities |work=BBC News |date=9 January 2009 |access-date=9 January 2009}}

Snow showers persisted in the east of the UK. In the far south east, snow showers merged into longer and more persistent areas of snow. A low temperature of {{convert|-14.5|°C|1}} was recorded at Tulloch Bridge. The football schedule was also heavily affected by the snowfall; all but seven games (two in both the Premier League and League 1 and three in the Championship) were postponed in England, and all but five Scottish Cup games were played in Scotland. Several Guinness Premiership games and horse-racing meets were cancelled as well.

{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/8443978.stm|title=Premier League heads list of sporting postponements|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 February 2010 | date=9 January 2010}} Dublin Airport was closed once again.{{cite web|url=http://www.ryanair.com/ie/notices/gops/100105-SNOW_UK_05JAN10-GB |title=Snow Disruptions – 9 Jan – Update 17:00hrs |publisher=Ryanair |date=23 May 2006 |access-date=9 January 2010}} Flights to Kraków in southern Poland were diverted to the airport in Katowice, due to fog which prevented planes from landing.{{cite web|url= http://www.ryanair.com|title= Ryanair.com}} Met Éireann issued a weather warning with up to {{convert|10|cm}} of snow forecast.{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/forecasts/warnings.asp |title=Warnings – Met Éireann – The Irish Meteorological Service Online |publisher=Met.ie |access-date=9 January 2010}}

Belgium was covered with another thick layer of snow, in some central provinces (such as Flemish Brabant) as deep as {{convert|10|cm}}. Since the snow (and possible traffic chaos) had been forecast for several days, this resulted in few people leaving their homes; traffic accidents were minor and few. At Brussels Airport slight delays were inevitable, but mostly the result of airports in neighbouring countries coping with heavier snow.{{cite web|url=http://www.deredactie.be/permalink/1.691587 |title=And the snow came from the East... |publisher=deredactie.be |language=nl |date=9 January 2009 |access-date=9 January 2009}} In Denmark, army personnel carriers were once again deployed in the southern part of the country to assist emergency services as drifting continued to cause traffic problems.{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fpolitiken.dk%2Findland%2Farticle876833.ece&sl=da&tl=en|title=Politi sætter bæltekøretøjer ind på Falster|work=Politiken|date=9 January 2009 |access-date=9 January 2009}}

File:Alton 10 Jan.JPG, England, 10 January 2010|alt=Roof icicles, as seen from upper window]]

A large depression moved into the Western Approaches from the Atlantic on 10 January and began to infiltrate the coldest areas of Britain, bringing a thaw to southwest England. The weather in London cleared, allowing for transport access (particularly by road) across all areas of north and central London. A heavy snowstorm, named "Daisy", struck northern Germany on 9 and 10 January. Especially along the coast and on the islands of Usedom, Rügen and Fehmarn, snowdrifts made roads, parts of the coastal autobahn and rail tracks impassable. In northern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and eastern Schleswig-Holstein secondary roads were closed and trains cancelled, while snowplows and excavators struggled to keep the main routes free. Since the storms were accumulating increasingly large snowbanks, hundreds of cars were stranded on Autobahn 20 near Jarmen during the night, and a train derailed after striking a snowbank near Miltzow.{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/0,1518,671060,00.html|title=Tief "Daisy". Rettungskräfte befreien Dutzende Autofahrer aus Schneefalle|date=10 January 2010|work=Der Spiegel|language=de|access-date=10 January 2010}} In Denmark, drifting continued to disrupt traffic in the southern part of the country; army personnel carriers were used to assist emergency services.{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fpolitiken.dk%2Findland%2Farticle876934.ece&sl=da&tl=en|title=Snekaos breder sig til Langeland|work=Politiken|date=10 January 2010|access-date=10 January 2010}} In Spain, a snowstorm swept the country; Madrid had more than 10 hours of snow. Parts of southern Spain, such as Seville, saw their first snow since 1954 or Mérida since 1983

On 11 January, England and Wales continued to feel the effects of the depression in the Western Approaches. In the Republic of Ireland, the Department of Education ordered all schools to close for the day due to heavy snowfall.

Due to a mix of bitter cold and the milder system trying to push in from the Atlantic, heavy snowfall in the United Kingdom resumed; there were fresh accumulations (on top of existing snow) of up to 15 centimetres (6 inches) on 12 January in Wales and South West England. Snow later fell in The Midlands and South-east England. In Holmfirth and Barnsley in north England, freezing rain or sleet fell onto deep-frozen roads; this created so much black ice that some people found that the only safe way to move about on roads was by crawling.BBC TV news Hospital accident and emergency units in the Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley areas of South Yorkshire reported being inundated by people with fractures and sprains after slipping on what one Council official in Sheffield described as the worst black ice seen in the area in living memory.

Many schools were again closed across England and Wales, and there were many road accidents and closures. The M25 motorway was down to one lane between Leatherhead and Reigate; roads across southern Great Britain were untreated, wreaking havoc on commuters. Gatwick and Birmingham airports were closed, and many flights were delayed at Heathrow. During 13 January the weather system continued north, affecting much of Northern England before reaching Scotland. Parts of northern France were also affected by snowfall.{{cite news|title=More roads misery on 'coldest day' |url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100113/tuk-more-roads-misery-on-coldest-day-6323e80.html |date=13 January 2010 |agency=Press Association |access-date=13 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115115647/http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100113/tuk-more-roads-misery-on-coldest-day-6323e80.html |archive-date=15 January 2010 }} At least 22 people died due to lower temperatures in Romania over a five-day period.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-ultima_ora-6843711-gerul-provocat-22-decese-ultimele-cinci-zile.htm |title=Gerul a provocat 22 de decese in ultimele cinci zile – Ultima ora |date=25 January 2010 |publisher=HotNews.ro |access-date=15 April 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.antena3.ro/stiri/meteo/mai-frig-ca-la-polul-nord-temperaturile-din-romania-mai-scazute-ca-in-nordul-continentului_90311.html |title=Mai frig ca la Polul Nord Temperaturile din Romania mai scazute ca in Alaska |publisher=Antena3.ro |access-date=15 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317041023/http://www.antena3.ro/stiri/meteo/mai-frig-ca-la-polul-nord-temperaturile-din-romania-mai-scazute-ca-in-nordul-continentului_90311.html |archive-date=17 March 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.antena3.ro/stiri/romania/au-murit-de-frig-11-decese-din-cauza-gerului-in-ultimele-24-de-ore_90318.html |title=Au murit de frig 11 decese din cauza gerului in ultimele 24 de ore |publisher=Antena3.ro |date=25 January 2010 |access-date=15 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129042634/http://antena3.ro/stiri/romania/au-murit-de-frig-11-decese-din-cauza-gerului-in-ultimele-24-de-ore_90318.html |archive-date=29 January 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.mediafax.ro/english/cold-weather-kills-11-people-in-romania-health-ministry-5194135 |title=Cold Weather Kills 11 People in Romania – Health Ministry |publisher=Mediafax |access-date=15 April 2010}}

By the end of January in southern Sweden, temperatures had failed to get above {{convert|0|C|F}} a single time in the whole month in the major cities in the entire Mälar valley, including capital Stockholm as well as major other cities such as Uppsala, Västerås and Örebro. Remarkably enough that even spread further south to inland cities in the deep south such as Växjö and Ljungby.{{cite web|url=http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month/vov_pdf/SMHI_vov_temperature_wind_jan10.pdf?84120|title=Temperature & Wind for January 2010|language=sv|publisher=SMHI|access-date=2 November 2015}} Although temperatures were lower than usual, no actual cold records were broken, but even temperatures in marine climate areas such as in Malmö plummeted below {{convert|-15|C|F}} during the coldest nights. All of Sweden's official stations averaged below {{convert|0|C|F}} in terms of daily high, which is highly unusual. The cold in the large cities were relatively moderated, but Örebro some way inland had a {{convert|-10|C|F}} mean, which is normal for areas much further north.

Arctic air entering the Mediterranean Sea brought snowfalls across Italian western coasts. Snow covered Rome with a couple of inches, with some flurries reaching Naples. An extremely rare snowfall occurred in Cagliari, Sardinia.{{citation | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BPVtQh5oXc | title = Layer of snow blankets the Vatican | date = 12 February 2010 | access-date = 10 September 2019}}{{citation | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFMeThIJYzI | title = Neve a Napoli - 12 Febbraio 2010 | date = 12 February 2010 | access-date = 10 September 2019}}{{citation | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IpZskfv1F8 | title = Neve a Cagliari 12-02-2010 | date = 11 February 2010 | access-date = 10 September 2019}}

{{main article|2010 Madeira floods and mudslides}}

At least 43 people were killed after more than a month's worth of rain fell in southern Madeira in five hours during a strong Atlantic winter storm, producing severe flooding and mudslides.{{Citation|title=Sobe para 43 o número de mortos na Madeira, já se contam mais de 100 feridos|url=http://www.publico.pt/Sociedade/sobe-para-43-o-numero-de-mortos-na-madeira_1423727|newspaper=Público|access-date=28 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919060337/http://www.publico.pt/Sociedade/sobe-para-43-o-numero-de-mortos-na-madeira_1423727|archive-date=19 September 2011|url-status=dead}} {{Dead link|date=December 2013|bot=Theo's Little Bot}}. {{in lang|pt}}{{citation | url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3851935,00.html | title = Floods kill at least 32 on resort island Madeira | date = 20 February 2010 | newspaper = Ynetnews}}{{citation | title = Temporal no Arquipélago da Madeira | url = http://www.meteo.pt/pt/otempo/comunicados/index.jsp | publisher = nstituto de Meteorologia, I.P. Portugal | date = 20 February 2010 | access-date =22 February 2010|language=pt}} The unusual storm was fed by warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the Northeastern Atlantic related to El Niño, and a slowing of the North Atlantic Gyre.{{citation | url = http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/data.pl?ref=N32W016+2100+08521W | title = Weather station FUNCHAL/S.CATARINA Average Rainfall | publisher = WorldClimate| access-date = 22 February 2010}}{{citation | url = http://www.accuweather.com/world-news-story.asp?partner=accuweather&article=8 | title = More on Deadly Medeira Flashing Flooding | publisher = AccuWeather.com | access-date =22 February 2010}}

{{main article|Xynthia (storm)}}

At least 62 people were killed (51 in France) and 12 were missing during a European windstorm in Western Europe, affecting mainly Spain, France, Germany and the Benelux region. Numerous levees were breached in western France.

By the end of the month, the unusual cold had spread from primarily the south to the north of Sweden. Although winters of 1966 and 1985 were much colder, the average low of coastal Luleå still measured at {{convert|-21.2|C|F}} and inland more southern locality Lycksele at {{convert|-22.4|C|F}}.{{cite web|url=http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month/vov_pdf/SMHI_vov_temperature_wind_feb10.pdf?84120|title=Temperature & Wind February 2010|language=sv|publisher=SMHI|access-date=5 November 2015}} Further south a night low of {{convert|-29.7|C|F}} was measured in Gävle not far north of capital Stockholm. In the south, temperatures occasionally went above freezing, but average highs were firmly below freezing, except in the deep south where it hovered around the freezing point. From the beginning of March, temperatures rose to somewhat normal levels throughout the country.

File:Barcelona snowfall08032010.jpg on 8 March 2010|alt=Pedestrians with umbrellas on snowy Barcelona street]]

Heavy snowfall in Spain on 8 March left 220,000 people around the Catalan city of Girona without electricity due to a fault in a high-tension power cable. The adverse weather cut off railway lines and roads, and Spain's border with France at La Junquera was closed. Many schools cancelled classes on both 8 and 9 March.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/mar/09/spain-snowstorms-wreak-havoc|title= Snowstorms wreak havoc in Spain|work= The Guardian|date= 9 March 2010|access-date= 13 March 2010 | location=London}} The snowfall was reported to be the heaviest in Barcelona since 1962.{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gcYJgH2GjtGHJZCbXVUxd47Dhmhg|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124223347/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gcYJgH2GjtGHJZCbXVUxd47Dhmhg|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 January 2013|title=Snow snarls traffic, strands thousands in southern Europe|last=AFP|first=Google News|date=9 March 2010|agency=Agence France-Presse|access-date=18 March 2010}} The storm also dumped snow on Mallorca and the Balearic Islands, causing snow and highway cancellations. Waves in the Mediterranean reached up to {{convert|7.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} and winds reached {{convert|133|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=353529&CategoryId=12395|title=Storm Brings Snow to Spanish Tourism Mecca|last=The World|first=LAHT|date=10 March 2010|work=Latin American Herald Tribune|access-date=18 March 2010}} Heavy snow up to {{convert|40|cm|in|abbr=on}} fell in southern France (including Provence and the Pyrenees), forcing flight cancellations, airport and motorway closures. Over one metre of snow fell in the mountains, and numerous power outages occurred in Corsica.{{cite news|url=http://www.english.rfi.fr/france/20100308-freak-snow-storm-covers-southern-france|title=Freak snow storm covers southern France|last=RFI|first=France|date=8 March 2010|publisher=RFI English|access-date=18 March 2010}} In Greece dust storms from the Sahara Desert reached the capital, Athens, on strong southerly winds.{{cite news|url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/extreme-weather-hits-France-Greece|title=Extreme weather hits France and Greece|last=English|first=RNW|date=8 March 2010|work=Radio Nederland Wereldomroep|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|access-date=18 March 2010}} The eastern end of the storm coincided with the 2010 Elâzığ earthquake.

A snowstorm dumped over 30 centimetres of snow in southern Germany (including Bavaria), causing numerous traffic accidents and over two dozen injuries.{{cite news|url=http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/bvarf_1st-ld-snowfall-causes-series-of-road-crashes-in-south-germany-841660.html|title=1st LD: Snowfall causes series of road crashes in south Germany|last=Stock Alerts|first=TradingsMarkets|date=12 March 2010|work=The Connors Group, Inc|publisher=Xinhua via COMTEX|access-date=18 March 2010}}

A massive snowstorm travelled north through the UK until it reached Northern Ireland and Scotland, where it stayed for 61 hours. The Met Office issued emergency and extreme-weather warnings for Scotland and Northern Ireland for severe blizzards, very heavy snow, heavy rain, gale-force winds, and severe drifting. On 29 March, snow began to fall heavily over Scotland and Northern Ireland; however, the 30th was far more severe, as gusts up to 80 mph brought trees down. There were accumulations of 30–60 cm of snow in Northern Ireland and Scotland; 3 ft of snow fell on Aviemore.

On 31 March, a girl was killed in Lanarkshire when a school bus skidded on ice and crashed. Over 70,000 homes in Northern Ireland and Scotland were without power, and newborn lambs died in the extreme weather conditions. Thousands of cars were stranded on roads during the day; 300 cars were stranded in Northern Ireland by 5-foot snowdrifts. Strong winds brought down trees and created waves up to 20 ft. Caravans at Kingshorn were destroyed and a marina in the Lothians was bombarded and demolished by a surge of rain-driven waves. A seal at St. Andrews Sea Life Centre went missing in the strong waves, and a river in Musselburgh overflowed. This snow event was the second-most disruptive of this winter in the UK.

By 7 January 2010, 22 people died in the UK because of the freezing conditions.[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article6979895.ece Deaths during Britain's big freeze]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Times, 7 January 2010 The Department of Health estimated that the cold weather could cause up to 40,000 excess deaths in the UK.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10619380&pnum=2 |title=UK winter set to be the coldest in 40 years |author1=Emily Dugan, Andrew Johnson |author2=Susie Mesure |name-list-style=amp |date=10 January 2010 |agency=The Independent |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=4 December 2011}} 139 people died in Poland–most of them reportedly homeless.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8445613.stm |title=Airport chaos as icy weather grips northern Europe |work=BBC News |date= 7 January 2010|access-date=9 January 2010}}

The following airports were at some point closed: London Gatwick Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Birmingham Airport, Cardiff Airport, London Luton Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, Southampton Airport, Blackpool International Airport, Newcastle Airport, Durham Tees Valley Airport, Exeter International Airport, Plymouth City Airport, London Stansted Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Manchester Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield and Bristol Airport. Some train services ran with revised timetables. Trains in Kent were delayed for up to three and a half hours, with hundreds of travellers left stranded. In late December, Eurostar trains from Paris or Brussels towards St. Pancras station were severely delayed, with delays of up to 16 hours.{{cite news|title = Passengers trapped on Eurostar trains relive ordeal|work =BBC News|date=19 December 2009|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8422305.stm|access-date = 7 January 2010}} All Eurostar services were cancelled from 19 to 21 December; delays and service cancellations continued after that.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/customer_care/questions_answers.jsp |title=– Questions and Answers |publisher=Eurostar|access-date=9 January 2010}}

Buses on the Isle of Wight, Gloucester (skeleton service was being run in Gloucester during Wednesday 6 January) and across southern Hampshire were suspended on 5 January owing to heavy snowfall, leaving a large number of people stranded. Limited services were back in operation on 7 January in Southampton and Portsmouth on the mainland and between Newport and the other main towns on the Isle of Wight. All services in Gosport, Fareham, Locks Heath, Titchfield, Whiteley and Warsash areas were suspended and remained so for two days because of road conditions. As of 8 January, one service was running between Gosport and Fareham and one between Fareham and Southampton (although this service was unable to serve Locks Heath or Titchfield). The A3 and the A3(M) around Horndean and the Hindhead area and the A1 experienced disruption; many minor roads were closed and only the main motorway and A-road network were passable for much of 5, 6 and 7 January. In North East England the A1(M) and A19 suffered challenging conditions (mainly in the evenings and at night) as a result of temperatures dropping to well below zero Celsius. Bus service between Newcastle and Sunderland experienced some disruption, as local operators suspended services but the Tyne and Wear Metro was an alternative which was only subject to delays due to the temperatures.

Local and minor roads were severely affected. Dublin Airport closed on Wednesday, 6 January{{cite news|url=http://news.eircom.net/breakingnews/17075655/?view=Standard |title=Dublin Airport closed until at least 8pm |publisher=Eircom.net |date=6 January 2010 |access-date=7 January 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and again on Friday, 8 January. Cork Airport closed on Sunday, 10 January at 6:30 pm and did not reopen until 12:30 pm on Monday, 11 January.{{cite news|url= http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0111/breaking10.htm|title= Munster feels brunt of Cold weather as Cork Airport opens after 18hours of closure|newspaper= The Irish Times|date= 11 January 2010|access-date= 11 January 2010}} Dublin Bus temporarily cancelled all services,{{cite news|url=http://news.eircom.net/breakingnews/17075398/ |title=All Dublin Bus services halted |publisher=Eircom.net |date=6 January 2010 |access-date=7 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109031220/http://news.eircom.net/breakingnews/17075398/ |archive-date=9 January 2010 }} and Ireland West Airport also closed.{{cite news|url= http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/knock-airport-closed-441052.html|title= Knock airport closed|publisher= Breaking News Ireland|date= 7 January 2010|access-date= 7 January 2010}}

All schools were ordered to close for a day on Monday 11 January, due to the snow. Dublin's tram service Luas was badly affected; most drivers and bus riders were afraid to travel on the ice-covered roads.

Long-distance railway traffic to and from Helsinki halted between 19 and 22 February. Cold weather, blizzards and drifting snow blocked 300 rail switches at the Ilmala rail yard, making traffic impossible. More than half the long-distance trains were cancelled, leaving hundreds of Lapland-bound winter holiday travellers stranded at Helsinki Central Railway station. Trains which were not cancelled ran several hours late. The amount of snow cleared from Helsinki streets and transferred to snow collection sites was 210,000 truckloads.{{Cite journal |title=Helsingin lumitalkoissa on rikottu kaikki ennätykset |author=Jenita Sillanpää |journal=Helsingin Sanomat |date=6 March 2011 |url=http://omakaupunki.hs.fi/paakaupunkiseutu/uutiset/helsingin_lumitalkoissa_on_rikottu_kaikki_ennatykset/ |access-date=6 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308182058/http://omakaupunki.hs.fi/paakaupunkiseutu/uutiset/helsingin_lumitalkoissa_on_rikottu_kaikki_ennatykset/ |archive-date=8 March 2011 |url-status=dead}}

Rail transport in Denmark, Norway and Sweden experienced serious setbacks throughout this Winter.

Winter vegetable crops such as cauliflower and potatoes were threatened by the icy temperatures, and harvesting of carrots, turnips, sugar beet and parsnips was delayed since the fields are frozen.{{cite news | author = Doward, Jamie | title = Britain counts the cost of big freeze | work = The Observer | date =10 January 2010 | pages = 8–9 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jan/10/no-let-up-big-freeze | access-date = 12 January 2010 | location=London}} The harsh winter was estimated to cost the economy of the United Kingdom £700 million.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8447873.stm|title=Frozen Britain: The cold snap in numbers|work=BBC News|date=8 January 2010|access-date=10 January 2010}} A new British record for natural gas consumption reached {{convert|454000000|m3}} on 7 January, according to the National Grid. Approximately 12,000 schools were closed across the United Kingdom. A drop in about 30% of UK retail sales was estimated, with uneven consequences;{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8450426.stm|title=Cold snap sees retail sales plunge|work=BBC News|date=10 January 2010|access-date=10 January 2010}} pubs, out-of-town shopping centres and department stores were worst affected. Local-store sales and the sale of sledges, cat litter and contraceptives increased. The Scottish Highlands saw a boost to tourism and winter sports.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8450560.stm|title=Snow gives Scottish economy a boost|work=BBC News|date=10 January 2010|access-date=10 January 2010}} The Cairngorms, near Aviemore, received its best business since the 1970s as thousands of tourists visited the area.

The snowfall in January postponed football games in the English Football League, Premier League, Football League Cup{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8441786.stm |title=Carling Cup semis postponed as freeze continues |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=5 January 2010 |access-date=5 January 2010}} and the FA Cup. There were further postponements in Scotland (with 15 football matches postponed on 2 January),{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8436366.stm |title=Only two Scots games beat freeze |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=2 January 2010 |access-date=5 January 2010}} and in Serie A, Serie B, Lega Pro Prima Divisione, Lega Pro Seconda Divisione and Serie D Italian football matches. Football in Northern Ireland was also affected.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/8445792.stm |title=Weekend sport hit by big freeze |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=8 January 2010 |access-date=10 January 2010}} In rugby union, there were cancellations in the English Premiership, Celtic League, the All-Ireland League, the Top 14,{{cite press release |url=http://www.lnr.fr/omm/upload/CP_080110_report_Bourgoin_Bayonne_J18.pdf |title=Report du match CS Bourgoin-Jallieu / Bayonne |language=fr |publisher=Ligue Nationale de Rugby |date=8 January 2010 |access-date=8 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229150023/http://www.lnr.fr/omm/upload/CP_080110_report_Bourgoin_Bayonne_J18.pdf |archive-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead}} a Heineken Cup fixture in Brussels scheduled for 19 December,{{cite web|url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/12_12929.php |title=Stade Français Paris v Ulster Rugby |publisher=European Rugby Cup |date=20 December 2009 |access-date=8 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417190314/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/12_12929.php |archive-date=17 April 2010 }} and a Heineken Cup fixture in Newport.{{cite web|url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/12_12924.php |title=Newport Gwent Dragons v Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque |publisher=European Rugby Cup |date=19 December 2009 |access-date=8 January 2010}} Other affected sports included Gaelic football's O'Byrne Cup, Dr. McKenna Cup, McGrath Cup and FBD League games. The field hockey Irish Junior Cup also saw postponements.

{{Portal|weather}}

{{Commons category}}

• March 2010 nor'easter
• 2010 Northern Hemisphere heat waves
• December 2009 North American blizzard
• Arctic dipole anomaly
• Climate of Europe
• Global storm activity of 2009
• Global storm activity of 2010
• North Atlantic Current
• Polar vortex
• Siberian High
• February 2009 Great Britain and Ireland snowfall
• Winter of 1990–91 in Western Europe
• Winter of 2010–11 in Europe

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Cold wave}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:European Winter Storms, 2009-10}}

Category:2009 in Europe

Category:2009 in Ireland

Category:2009 disasters in the United Kingdom

Category:2000s cold waves

Winter Storms, 2009-10

Category:2009 natural disasters

Category:2010 in Europe

Category:2010 in Ireland

Category:2010 disasters in the United Kingdom

Winter Storms, 2009-10

Category:2010 natural disasters

Category:2010s cold waves

Winter Storms, 2009-10

Winter Storms, 2009-10

Winter Storms, 2009-10

2009-10 in Europe