Unseasonal Snowfall and Flooding Hit Europe

Large swathes of⁤ Switzerland and Austria are bracing for unseasonal snowfall, while the Czech Republic faces ‌its worst ⁤flooding in decades. Some highlands in the country could see up to 45cm of snowfall over the next​ two days, according to warnings from the Swiss meteorological agency.

Switzerland and Austria Prepare​ for Snow

In Austria, forecasters are warning of snow ⁤in the centre until‌ September 16, ⁣with up to 50cm of snow expected in Salzburg. In the city of Villach in the province‍ of Carinthia, ​pedestrian and cycle paths along the Drau ‌River will be closed.

Czech Republic Faces Worst Flooding in‌ Decades

Meanwhile, Czech authorities are forecasting unusually heavy rain and ⁣a risk of flooding in the central and eastern parts of the country. Some⁤ areas could see more than 30cm‍ of rain. Several⁣ rivers in nearby​ Germany could also be affected, ⁣according to regional authorities.

Czech Environment Minister⁤ Petr Hladik said the current⁢ situation in the Czech Republic is similar⁢ to the time⁤ before the ‍historic floods‌ that paralyzed the country in 1997⁢ and 2002.

Historic ⁤Floods in the‌ Czech ​Republic

The 1997 floods‌ hit the ⁢eastern Moravia⁤ region,⁢ where heavy⁤ rainfall killed⁣ 50 people and caused billions​ of dollars in damage. Meanwhile, the 2002 floods, which were mainly in the west of the‌ country, killed 17 people and caused‍ more damage ⁢than the 1997 floods.

Preparations and Cancellations

Hydroelectric‌ dam operators are proactively reducing water levels ⁤in several Czech reservoirs, while a number of outdoor festivals have been canceled or postponed.

Several towns in Moravia have erected flood barriers and prepared sandbags to ⁤withstand⁢ the weather, with local forecasters warning of winds of up to 100km/h.

Climate Change and Unusual Weather ​Events

Other parts of⁢ Europe have⁢ also been hit by hot weather in‍ recent months. A cold weather system⁤ has gripped⁣ much of the region, ⁣with temperatures in some parts ⁤of the northwest dropping to their⁣ lowest since April.

These unusual conditions‍ show⁤ that climate change is causing more unusual weather events ⁤to⁤ occur‌ more⁢ frequently.

Temperatures ​are expected to drop ⁢to as low as 7 degrees ⁤Celsius on September 13, according to the Met Office in London.