A severe and snowy cold snap across central and eastern Europe has left at least 36 people dead, cut off power to towns, and snarled traffic.
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This part of Europe is not unused to cold, but the current freeze, which spread to most of the region last week, came after a period of relatively mild weather. Many were shocked when temperatures in some parts plunged Monday to minus 20 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit).
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Temperatures in parts of Ukraine fell to minus 16 C (3 F) during the day and minus 23 C (minus 10 F) in the night.
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In Poland, at least 10 people froze to death as the cold reached minus 26 C (minus 15 F) on Monday.
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City authorities in the Czech capital of Prague set up tents for an estimated 3,000 homeless people. Freezing temperatures also damaged train tracks, slowing railway traffic.
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In central Serbia, three people died and two more were missing, while 14 municipalities were operating under emergency decrees. Efforts to clear roads blocked by snow were hampered by strong winds and dozens of towns faced power outages.
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Strong winds also closed down Bulgaria's main Black Sea port of Varna, while part of a major highway leading to Bulgaria and Greece from Turkey was closed after a heavy snowfall. Nearly 200 Turkish Airlines flights to and from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport were canceled, and a city sports hall was turned to a temporary shelter for some 350 homeless people.
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The temperature in Turkey's province of Kars, which borders Armenia, dropped to minus 25 C on Sunday night. The situation was similar in Romania, where reports said four people have died because of freezing weather.

At least 18 people have died in Ukraine and 10 in Poland after heavy snow fall and a sudden drop in temperatures across east Europe. Three deaths were also reported in Serbia and one in Bulgaria. Ukrainian officials said nearly 500 people had sought treatment for frostbite and hypothermia in just three days. And over that time, more than 17,000 people had sought refuge in some 1,500 shelters, Ukrainian media reported. Temperatures have plunged to -16C (3F) during the day and -23C (-10F) at night, the Associated Press reports.

The strains of Silent Night have barely faded, but already the snowdrops have reared their heads and gardens are ablaze with colour. Confused? You’re not the only one. The exceptionally mild winter has left Mother Nature so baffled that spring has sprung early – and autumn hasn’t quite gone away either. At a time when we would usually expect to see bare branches and icy mornings, some flowers have burst into life two or more months ahead of schedule. Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk...< br />

No end to autumn: This cherry tree in Windsor, prunus autumnalis, is a variety which normally flowers in October. This one did... and is still blooming now

Awakening: Usually considered a sign of spring when it blooms in February, this polyanthus (left) opens up in Hertfordshire. The camellia japonica (right) typically flowers between March and May but is already brightening the winter in Windsor Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk...< br />