Europe is facing a dramatic shift in weather patterns this week, with parts of the continent experiencing unseasonal snowfalls while others brace for potentially catastrophic floods, Bloomberg reports.
The Alps are set to receive major snowfall, with some higher elevations in Switzerland expecting up to 17.7 inches of snow over the next two days. Austria is also under a snow alert, with central regions anticipated to receive up to 1.6 feet of snow by September 16th.
Meanwhile, the Czech Republic is on high alert for flooding, with heavy rainfall forecast for central and eastern portions of the country. Some areas may experience over 11.8 inches of rainfall, potentially exceeding the September average by double. The Environment Minister, Petr Hladik, has warned that the current situation mirrors the lead-up to major floods in 1997 and 2002, which paralyzed the country. Precautionary measures include lowering water levels in Czech reservoirs and cancellation or rescheduling of outdoor events.
The extreme weather events are being attributed to a cold weather system that has swept across Europe, bringing unusually low temperatures to many regions. In London, for example, temperatures are expected to dip to 45F on Friday, a stark contrast to the typical summer weather.
