Snow, snow and more snow - everywhere you look.<br/> <br />A Siberian cold snap has descended across much of central and eastern Europe, causing chaos in many parts.<br/> <br />Here in Russia, over 50 regions are experiencing abnormally low temperatures. In Vladivostok, a temperature of minus 21 degrees Celsius has frozen the bay.<br/> <br />Heavy snowfall has also blocked traffic on one of the main highways in the Volgograd region.<br/> <br />In Poland, where the temperature sank below minus 20 degrees Celsius, nine people have died of hypothermia.<br/> <br />Authorities say most of the dead were homeless or elderly, bringing the death toll since the beginning of the week to 29.<br/> <br />Plunging temperatures and heavy snowfall have also swept through large parts of Italy, disrupting air and land traffic.<br/> <br />Central and northern parts of the country, like here in Milan, have been particularly badly hit.<br/> <br />The snow has even reached the normally sun-kissed Mediterranean coastline of southern France.<br/> <br />Palm trees in Marseilles are covered in snow as local children seize the opportunity for a rare snowball fight.<br/> <br />Authorities have declared a severe weather warning in 25 regions of France<br/> <br />Europe's cold spell is expected to persist until Sunday.<br/> <br />Sunita Rappai, Reuters
