Cities across the country and around the world are facing blistering cold winters this year, with plenty of record-breaking snowfall.
From Tennessee to Athens, Greece, freezing temperatures have already dropped further this week as the polar vortex envelops the Northern Hemisphere.
In recent weeks, Moscow, Chicago, Madrid and more have been covered in snow, in some cases reporting several meters of accumulation. The storms in the US increased especially during the weekend of President’s Day.
In Kansas City, residents have been hit by record-breaking cold temperatures with -32 degrees wind chill. Officials have called on those braving the cold to band together. And in Texas, millions are without power as the power grid struggles to keep up during snow and ice storms
The snow has created dramatic scenes all over the world, with historic spots where snow is rarely dusted and busy highways usually come to a halt.
Here are just a few photos of how the snow is piling up around the world:
Athens, Greece
Athens was hit by a front of cold weather early this week, covering the city’s streets with snow, according to the Greek City Times. covered with the white stuff.
The snow is expected to last until Tuesday.
Moscow, Russia
Heavy snow in Moscow, Russia, has almost brought life to a halt for many. What some call a “snow apocalypse” has implications for transport both on the ground and in the air.
The city reported several flight delays and pedestrians struggling to travel as they also brave gusts of nearly 40 mph.
According to Reuters, nearly 22 inches of snow had accumulated in the city on Saturday, which also reported that the city set new daily snow records over the weekend.
Carrbridge, Scotland
Scotland, which usually averages 15-20 snow days per year, has faced similar transport problems as snow continues to build up on the streets.
On Wednesday, meteorologists warned of falling temperatures and strong winds, disrupting travel across the region. Snowfall in the UK has reached nearly 20 inches, the BBC reported. The UK recorded the coldest temperature in 25 years in Braemar in Aberdeenshire on Wednesday.
Madrid, Spain
Spain’s capital has had the heaviest snowfall in nearly 50 years. A storm that hit the southern and central regions of the country killed three people, according to The New York Times.
The snowstorms forced the closure of Madrid-Barajas Airport and even halted train travel in some parts of the city.
Nashville, Tennesse
Ice and sleet covered Tennessee on Monday, with many areas of the state seeing two inches or more of accumulation. Memphis reported more than 7 inches of snow and sleet that same day.
Snow, sleet and more sleet are expected in the area on Wednesday, according to the Tennessean.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle broke a decades-long record this weekend, with the state reporting nearly 8.9 inches of snow on Saturday. The heavy snowfall was the region’s 12th in one day since 1894, KOMONews reported.
A 90-year-old woman reported over the weekend that she had walked six miles in the snow so she could get her COVID-19 vaccination.
Chicago, Illinois
More than 45 inches of snow covered the city of Chicago on Saturday. The city has experienced more snow in the past three weeks than usual in an entire winter, according to The Chicago Tribune.