Cities across the country and around the world are facing extremely cold winters this year, with many seeing record snow.
From Tennessee to Athens, Greece, already freezing temperatures have dropped further this week, as the polar vortex surrounds the northern hemisphere.
In recent weeks, Moscow, Chicago, Madrid and others have been covered in snow, in some cases reporting several feet of buildup. The storms in the US increased particularly over President’s Day weekend.
In Kansas City, residents were hit by record low temperatures with a 32-degree cold sensation. The authorities asked those who face the cold to make sure they get dressed. And in Texas, millions are without power as the grid struggles to keep up with snow and ice storms
Snow has created dramatic scenes all over the world, with historic sites that rarely see snow picking up dust and generally busy roads have slowed to a stop.
Here are just a few pictures of how snow is accumulating around the world:
Athens, Greece
Athens was hit by a cold front earlier this week, covering the city streets with snow, according to the Greek City Times. It is a rare place to see the snow-covered Mediterranean city, with many sharing pictures of the ancient Acropolis covered with white material.
The snow is expected to continue until Tuesday.
Moscow, Russia
Heavy snowfalls in Moscow, Russia, almost paralyzed the lives of many. What some are calling the “snow apocalypse” has affected land and air transport.
The city reported several flight delays, as well as pedestrians struggling to get around while facing gusts of speeds of almost 64 km / h.
Nearly 22 inches of snow had accumulated in the city by Saturday, according to Reuters, which also reported that the city broke new daily snow records over the weekend.
Carrbridge, Scotland
Scotland, which generally averages 15-20 snow days a year, has faced similar challenges with transport, as snow continues to accumulate on its streets.
On Wednesday, meteorologists warned of falling temperatures and strong winds, disrupting travel across the region. Snowfall in the UK reached almost 50 centimeters, the BBC reported. The UK recorded its coldest temperature in 25 years in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday.
Madrid, Spain
Spain’s capital has faced its biggest blizzard in almost 50 years. A storm that hit the southern and central regions of the country left three people dead, according to The New York Times.
The blizzards forced the Madrid-Barajas airport to close and even stopped train travel in some parts of the city.
Nashville, Tennessee
Ice and hail covered Tennessee on Monday, with many areas of the state registering an inch or more of accumulation. Memphis reported more than 7 inches of snow and hail that same day.
Snow, freezing rain and more hail are expected in the area on Wednesday, according to the Tennessean.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle broke a record for decades this weekend, with the state reporting nearly 20 inches of snow on Saturday. The heavy snowfall marked the 12th largest region in a single day since 1894, KOMONews reported.
A 90-year-old woman over the weekend reported that she walked ten kilometers in the snow so she could get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Chicago, Illinois
Over 45 centimeters of snow covered the city of Chicago on Saturday. The city has experienced more snow in the past three weeks than it normally does in an entire winter, according to The Chicago Tribune.