Cold snap brings heavy snowfall to Italy

© MeteoWeb

Snowfall blanketing parts of Italy hampered travel plans, causing trains in north-west Piedmont and Liguria to be cancelled. So far 35 trains have been affected, including those on the Genoa and Turin lines, Tgcom24 reported.

The cold snap has, however, been good news for skiers, with up to 60cm of snow falling in the mountainous Cuneo province by the French border. Schools in the area have been closed for the rest of the week, MeteoWeb said.

Drivers were also facing difficulty, with snow on Italy's lengthy A1 road which links Milan and Naples. The heaviest snowfall on the road was reported between Bologna and Florence, with sections closed to heavy vehicles.

Venice has also not escaped from bad weather, with high water reaching 110cm in the canal city. Trieste, also in the north-east, was suffering from sleet and winds of 112km/h, Tgcom24 said.

Further south a rain storm hit the Italian capital overnight, with firefighters being called in to save drivers trapped by flooded streets.

Landslides have also been reported around Rome, with one north of the city prompting a train without passengers to derail at Manziana station.

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