Heavy snow is falling in parts of Macedonia today (April 4th), according to the Athens News Agency.

Temperatures plummeted to around minus two degrees C on Thursday evening and a thick layer of snow is now present in mountainous regions.

Most other areas have recorded relatively mild temperatures of ten degrees C.

Areas affected include Seli Ski resort in Imathia.

There are no reports of any injuries or interruption to services, although traffic is said to be moving slowly through the region.

Macedonia is usually characterised by mild and rainy winters, with an average temperature in the coldest month of January being three degrees C.

Strong winds and waves have caused damage to seaside walkways and other facilities in the Spanish Basque City of San Sebastian, officials have said.

Reuters reported on March 12th that waves of up to eight metres hit the beach front on Tuesday, sweeping cars down streets and overturning boats.

Mayor Odon E Lorza told Cadena Ser radio that it was too early to say how much the damage would cost.

A strong wind warning along the coast from Galicia to the Basque Country has been issued by the state meteorological service.

Flash floods in Jerusalem saw one man drown last week, Israeli police have confirmed.

The man - an American hiking in a gulch near the Dead Sea - drowned, while one person remains missing, the Associated Press reported on February 25th.

Near where the body was found in the Ein Gedi nature reserve a woman was found and being treated on the scene.

Surrounded by desert and cliffs, the Dead Sea can be flooded when rain falling in distant hills rushes down the steep drops.

Icy roads in Istanbul are causing traffic accidents as snowfall in the country begins to decrease.

Two people were injured on the Turkish city's roads, which are covered with ice after a period of snow which has left highways and schools closed since Saturday, reported the Turkish Daily News on February 20th.

Mayor of Istanbul, Muammer Guler, has said that the temperature is expected to decrease to minus ten degrees Celsius on Wednesday as schools across the city reopen.

However, 4,266 village roads were blocked across the country on Tuesday, with snowfall expected in the eastern region on Wednesday.

Government offices and businesses opted to remain closed after the Greek capital Athens was hit by a snowstorm, according to local officials.

DPA reported on February 18th that the combination of sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow during the preceding two days had brought much of the city's public transport system to a halt.

A number of major roads into the capital were blocked by snow and the government decided to order schools and other official buildings to remain closed - a move copied by banks and many shop owners.

The Greek islands were also affected by the snowstorm and villages across Crete and Evia were cut off because of the conditions.

The island of Gozo, which neighbours Malta, has witnesses an unexpected hailstorm, according to the Times of Malta.

Following the downpour, the Mediterranean island found itself covered in a white colour at around 06:00 local time, the newspaper reported on February 11th.

Victoria was the area most affected, with fields in the town turning pale. One reader told the publication that footprints at her front doorstep measured around two inches deep.

Malta, a popular holiday destination with people from the UK, also woke up to similarly cold conditions.

The Israeli city of Jerusalem was brought to a standstill following an unusually heavy snowstorm, according to local meteorologists.

Associated Press reported on January 30th that 20 centimetres of snow fell in the city during the morning before heavy rain arrived in the afternoon.

The snow that blanketed the city in the morning blocked roads and persuaded many people to stay home from work.

Parts of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank also experienced heavy snow resulting from the storm.

Strong winds and snow have caused major disruption to Greece's transport network, according to local officials.

Reuters reported on January 29th that traffic in suburbs north of the capital Athens was badly affected by a sudden spell of heavy snowfall.

Conditions also forced the closure of the ports of Piraeus, Lavrio and Rafina, leading to the cancellation of ferry services to the Aegean islands.

People hoping to travel to the islands by plane also faced disappointment as the high winds grounded domestic flights from Athens.

A man needed hospital treatment after the east coast of Malta was buffeted by strong winds, according to local police.

Times of Malta reported on January 24th that a north-easterly wind and rough seas led to the closure of coastal roads and to boats being destroyed.

A 59-year-old man was taken to hospital after he was struck by a water tank dislodged by the wind but his injuries proved not to be serious.

Another man had a fortunate escape after his car was washed on to rocks by high waves and he was rescued by a police patrol that happened to be passing.

Air and road travel in Jordan has been severely disrupted by a rare snowstorm, according to local officials.

The Associated Press reported on January 22nd that the storm had left the desert nation blanketed in up to five centimetres of snow.

Flights from Queen Alia International Airport near the capital Amman were delayed as de-icing work took place and staff waited for the fog that followed the storm to lift.

Traffic in Amman also came to a standstill as drivers struggled to cope with the unfamiliar but dangerous icy conditions.

Farmers in the south of Israel are facing the prospect of substantial losses because of a drought, according to local officials.

Haaretz reported on January 21st that the Be'er Sheva, Arava and western and central Negev areas have received less than a third of the expected rainfall since the start of the winter.

The region has also been hit by frost and the combination has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of winter vegetable crops earmarked for export.

Farmers affected by the conditions are now waiting to see whether the state will compensate them.

The drought in Cyprus has become so serious the government is considering importing water, agriculture minister Photis Photiou has confirmed.

Reuters reported on January 9th that the island is in its fourth consecutive year of drought and that its reservoirs are now at only 9.2 per cent of full capacity.

Water restrictions have already been imposed on farmers and could be extended to domestic users if the situation does not ease in the next three months, Mr Photiou told the news agency.

He added that importing water from Crete via tanker ships would be expensive but that it would have to happen unless rainfall figures increase in the short term.

Heavy rain over the weekend may have been welcomed by the Cyprus water board following reports that reserves were low, reported the Famagusta Gazette on December 10th.

The news provider said that island received torrential rain in many areas, while thick fog and snow fell on the mountains.

Larnaca also saw flooding, with the wet weather expected to continue until later in the week, the newspaper said.

The BBC recently reported that the Orthodox Church of Cyprus had called for priests to pray for rain.

Sustained heavy rain has seen the death toll from the flooding in Algeria rise to 11, according to government officials.

AFP reported on November 28th that the north of the country had experienced five consecutive days of downpours, leading to flooding in the cities of Algiers, Oran and Boumerdes.

Three people have drowned in the capital, five died in house collapses caused by the weather in Oran and three people were swept away by the floodwater in the area around Boumerdes.

Algeria's transport network has also been badly affected, with the main road routes into Algiers all virtually impassable because of the floods.

Two people were killed after parts of the Algerian capital Algiers were hit by flooding, according to local police.

AFP reported on November 26th that a downpour the previous day led to landslides in which two people died and eight more were injured.

Several apartment blocks were inundated in the old town and 120 families were forced to leave their homes after floodwater swept through the Bab El-Oued neighbourhood.

The rain also brought traffic to a standstill in the west of Algiers after a bridge over the Beni Messous river was washed away.

Parts of the Spanish region of Andalusia were left underwater after a severe storm, according to local officials.

Reuters reported on November 21st that the south of Spain had experienced a long dry spell before the storm brought a day of torrential rain.

The worst affected areas were the town of Utrera, which declared a state of emergency after a river broke its banks and flooded 400 homes, and the province of Jaen where properties were left underwater.

Cadiz was badly affected by strong winds which caused serious damage to a number of commercial buildings. Residents also reported seeing a tornado.

Italian football club Lecce is in mourning for a member of its backroom team after he was struck by lightning and died at the end of a training session.

Associated Press reported on November 1st that kitman Antonio De Giorgi, coach Giuseppe Papadopulo and sporting director Guido Angelozzi were struck by lightning as they collected up equipment during a thunderstorm.

Papadopulo and Angelozzi escaped completely unhurt, but De Giorgi was killed instantly.

Lecce's Serie B game at Cesena, scheduled for November 3rd, is likely to be postponed as a mark of respect for the 41-year-old father of one.

Sailors had to be rescued from boats moored off Malta after the area was hit by a severe thunderstorm, according to local officials.

Times of Malta reported on October 23rd that a storm two days earlier had brought force eight winds and just over two centimetres of rain.

As a result, a number of boats were torn away from their moorings and sank, with the Civil Protection Department (CPD) having to rescue some owners.

The CPD also had to clear up inland, where electricity poles and trees were felled and left strewn across roads.

A woman has died after trying to escape a flash flood on the Spanish island of Mallorca, according to local emergency services.

Reuters reported on October 18th that torrential rain had caused floods close to the town of Puigpunyent the previous day.

A car carrying three people became trapped by the rising water and the woman was killed after being swept away after leaving the vehicle to get help.

The two passengers, a man and a baby, were subsequently rescued from the vehicle unharmed, a spokesman for the emergency services said.

Rescue workers in Tunisia have found three more bodies to take the death toll in the recent flooding to 11, according to the state news agency.

Agence Tunis Afrique Presse reported on October 15th that some areas in the north of the country had received 17 centimetres of rain during a torrential downpour two days earlier.

The rain filled previously dry riverbeds, which quickly overflowed, leading to homes and roads being flooded and cars being washed away.

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has now ordered changes to building regulations and a re-evaluation of ongoing state construction projects to take account of the possible consequences of any future extreme weather conditions.

At least eight people have died after the north of Tunisia was hit by torrential rain, according to a local news agency.

Agence Tunis Afrique Presse reported on October 14th that heavy rain the previous day had led to floods that bought chaos to the road network in and around the capital Tunis.

The worst incident occurred near Sabbelet Ben Ammar, where the swift rise in the water level caught motorists unawares and led to eight people being killed. Eight more people are missing after their cars were washed away.

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has ordered local authorities to step up relief efforts in affected areas and also cancelled Evacuation Day celebrations scheduled for October 15th.

Two people have died after storms lashed the east coast of Spain and the Balearic islands, according to a broadcaster.

Sky News reported on October 14th that the regions had experienced heavy rain and high winds for the previous two days.

Swollen rivers washed away a three-story building and a bridge near Alicante, where a woman was killed after her house was flooded.

In Ibiza, a man died after a strong gust of wind blew him into a building while he was kite surfing on Playa d'en Bossa beach.

A Cypriot holiday resort received more than 60 per cent of its average October rainfall in just one day, according to local meteorologists.

The Cyprus Mail reported on October 7th that Polis Chrysochous had experienced 2.3 centimetres of rain during a 24-hour spell three days earlier.

A Meteorological Service spokesman explained that the average October rainfall for the area is just four centimetres.

The rain led to crops being damaged, electricity supplies being cut off and traffic problems in some areas.

The deaths of two people in a motor accident in the south of Spain have been attributed to heavy rain, according to a broadcaster.

Sky News reported on October 3rd that a 20-minute burst of heavy rain and hail the previous day had resulted in flash floods in towns around Seville.

In an incident in Alcala de Guadaira, a coach driver lost control of his vehicle during the downpour and it ploughed into a house, leading to two women being killed.

The rain also led to the fire service having to deal with 30 callouts in a 30-minute spell, as metre-deep water caused damage to homes, shops and vehicles.

At least 18 people were slightly injured Friday as unusually large hailstones fell in the southern Spanish coastal resort of Marbella, officials said. Some of the hailstones were the size of tennis balls, residents said. Radio reports put the number of injured at 30 people, including several children. The hailstorm also damaged hundreds of cars.

The hailstones were exceptionally large, though hailstorms were not unusual in coastal areas at this time of the year, meteorologist Jesus Riesco said. The hailstorm followed heavy rains which flooded roads and caused traffic jams.

Rains caused flooding also in other parts of the Andalusia region, inundating basements and shops and severing road and rail links in the Granada and Jaen.

A man has been found dead after heavy rain in southern Spain resulted in flooding, according to local police.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported on September 14th that the 67-year-old's body had been found in a ditch near to the city of Jaen after being washed away by flood water, but that the cause of death had not yet been confirmed.

Emergency services are searching for two more people after their car was washed away.

The news comes a day after a man was killed in the Spanish province of Huelva after being struck by lightning while gathering shellfish during a thunderstorm.

Two villages in the north of Greece were hit by flooding on Sunday, according to a news agency.

Associated Press reported on September 2nd that heavy rain in the peninsula of Halkidiki led to cars being washed into the sea as water surged through the streets of the villages.

Last year, the area was badly affected by forest fires and it is believed the resulting lack of vegetation helped to contribute to the flooding.

Meanwhile, Greek authorities believe they have finally managed to contain the forest fires that have spread throughout the south of the country during the past fortnight.

The government believes arson is to blame for the fires that have claimed 65 lives and left thousands of people homeless, although their commencement coincided with a heatwave.

High temperatures across Algeria have caused health problems for local people, according to a local newspaper.

The El Khabar reports on August 28th that people with respiratory ailments such as asthma are among the hardest hit, with many needing hospital treatment.

Meanwhile, the heatwave has also led to a spate of wildfires breaking out in several rural areas.

Almost 200 hectares of forest-land has been destroyed by 14 different blazes, which have been fuelled by the high temperatures.

Torrential rain has fallen across the Spanish province of Malaga, according to a news provider.

The Typically Spanish website reports on August 23rd that Fuengirola and Torremolinos are among the worst affected areas.

Some local attractions and facilities had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure, while fire crews were also called out several times to deal with emergencies.

In addition, some cars were trapped in mud and had to be towed out, while other vehicles were damaged by uprooted trees.

The heatwave across south-east Europe has claimed another life in Cyprus, reports the International Herald Tribune on July 30th.

According to the news provider, the casualty was a Ukrainian man who was living in the capital Nicosia.

Temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius in the city yesterday, leading to the man succumbing to heatstroke.

This follows a number of similar deaths and heat-related illnesses in countries such as Romania and Bulgaria.

Recent extreme weather on the island of Cyprus appears to be dying down, according to a local newspaper.

The Cyprus Mail reports on July 3rd that the torrential downpours that followed last week's heatwave are easing off and that the weather is returning to normal.

During the weekend, areas including Nicosia and Torrodos were lashed with heavy rain, although eastern areas were not affected.

This followed several days of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, although heat levels are now hovering around the mid-thirties.

The temperatures were so intense that a number of people died from heatstroke, while others suffered from a variety of other heat-related illnesses.

High temperatures in south-west Turkey have led to a series of fires breaking out, reports Today's Zaman on June 28th.

The news provider states that 18 blazes have started across the Antalya region and threatening various settlements.

Some have been extinguished or contained, although others have caused damage to local properties and buildings.

In one area close to the city centre, a fire destroyed four homes, a car and a number of glasshouses, prompting authorities to evacuate the area.

However, there have been no reports of any related deaths.

The heat wave in Greece has triggered a series of forest fires in parts of the country, reports Reuters on June 29th.

Fire crews have been deployed to try and contain the blazes, which are being fanned by strong winds.

Officials were quoted as saying that two men have died as a result of the fires as their car became trapped by the flames in the central town of Agia.

High temperatures have already been responsible for at least ten deaths in Greece this week, mainly due to heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.

Reuters described the current heat wave as the worst in the country for more than a century.

High temperatures in Israel have led to a record demand for electricity, reports the Haaretz on June 28th.

The news provider states that demand for power reached 9,500 megawatts due to temperatures climbing to 42 degrees Celsius.

This beats the previous record of 9,450 megawatts which was set in December last year.

Authorities have warned that overuse could lead to disruption in the electricity supply and have asked people not to use certain appliances that consume lots of power.

For example, locals have been issued with recommendations of what setting their air conditioning should be at and asked not to use dishwashers and washing machines.

Malta has recorded record temperatures throughout the current heatwave, reports Di-ve News on June 26th.

Last night was said to be the warmest night recorded on the island for three decades, reaching a low of 28.3 degrees Celsius.

This breaks the previous record set four years ago when temperatures were measured at 27.2 degrees Celsius at dawn.

Meanwhile, yesterday's heat levels peaked at 39.5 degrees Celsius - less than one degree short of the June record that was set in 1997.

Two people have died in Greece after a heat wave hit the country, reports Reuters on June 26th.

The news agency states that six people also died in Romania as parts of south-east Europe baked in temperatures of up to 46 degrees Celsius.

Many people in Greece have been ordered to work only half days throughout the heat wave in order to reduce energy usage and prevent people from being outside during the hottest time of the day.

This month is expected to be the hottest June ever recorded in Greece, although the temperatures are expected to drop later in the week.

People in Israel are being asked to reduce their power consumption as the country experiences a major heat wave.

The Jerusalem Post reports on June 25th that some areas have seen temperatures rise to as much as 45 degrees Celsius.

This has prompted the Israel Electric Company to request that people do not stretch power usage beyond capacity by using their air conditioning.

In order to compensate for the spike in electricity consumption, the organisation has requested that Israelis refrain from using items such as dishwashers, washing machines and driers.

Meanwhile, health officials have advised that people should try and drink lots of water and stay sheltered from the sun, while they have also been urged to avoid any strenuous physical activity.

Firefighters in the Greek capital Athens have been struggling to tackle a fire amid high temperatures.

Kathimerini reports on June 20th that a blaze broke out at a municipal rubbish collection point and created a thick cloud of black smoke.

However, temperatures have been hovering above 40 degrees Celsius and are expected to rise further in the next few days, thus feeding the fire.

Authorities have stated that the blaze, which occurred in the southern area of Glyfada, could continue for several days before it is completely extinguished.

Meanwhile, the heatwave has prompted the Public Power Corporation in the city to urge locals not to cook or use air conditioning sytems in order to reduce the likelihood of a power cut.

Heavy rain has caused flooding in the Turkish city of Istanbul, reports Today's Zaman on June 8th.

The downpour affected many morning commuters travelling to work, with some being stranded or caught up in accidents.

In one incident, several cars were trapped in a puddle more than a metre (3.3 feet) deep beneath an underpass and had to be rescued by fire crews.

Meanwhile, the severe weather caused a truck to fall from a viaduct and a vehicle to lose control and crash through guardrails at the airport junction with the motorway.

Parts of Malta have suffered flooding as a result of an unseasonal rain shower, reports Di-ve News on June 5th.

Many were caught off guard by the downpour, as this time of the year is typically associated with summery conditions.

Authorities have warned motorists to be careful while driving, especially in areas such as Birkirkara, Msida and Burmarrad.

The police have also urged people to avoid several major roads while the storm lasts, although no serious accidents or injuries have been reported.

Grain crops in Spain have escaped serious damage after last week's thunderstorms, reports Reuters on May 31st.

The news agency states that they emerged largely unscathed from the storms, although many vineyards were badly affected.

Plants in areas such as Castilla La Mancha were lashed with heavy rain and hailstones, while some areas were flooded.

Pablo Resco, a crop expert from one of the country's farming unions, said that output from vineyards in the area will be lost for several years as vines need to be pulled up and replanted.

He added that grain crops that have been flattened would recover if the weather conditions improved, although he said that plants with smashed stalks have been lost.

Heavy storms, landslides, flash floods and lightning have killed at least 23 people in Europe and Turkey, officials said on Monday.

Nine people died in eastern Turkey, including six killed in severe flooding in mountainous Agri province near the Iranian border, where river waters were swollen by melting snows. Two more people were missing.

In nearby Van province, a two-year-old child died when landslides triggered by heavy rain demolished a house. Two other girls also died and another person was injured after being struck by lightning.

Six hikers died in Greece while trying to cross a river in the south. They were in a group of 18 people swept away by a flood wave in the rain-swollen Lousios river. Prosecutors charged the hike's organisers with involuntary manslaughter.

In France, two divers and a yachtsman drowned on Sunday off the western coast of Brittany in extreme weather.

The yachtsman fell into the sea from his 21-metre boat in heavy seas. The two divers were part of a group of six who were caught up in strong waves. The others made it safely to shore.

In northern Bosnia, two 11-year-old children, a boy and a girl, died after being struck by lightning on Saturday, local media reported.

Commuters in Spain have experienced disruption after heavy rain in Spain brought down several train power lines. Reuters reports on May 24th that lines between Madrid and Murcia, Valencia, Almeria and Jaen were closed after the stormy weather hit central parts of the country.

Some rail passengers had to be evacuated from their carriages as the weather became more severe. Meanwhile, many major roads and motorways have been flooded, causing further travel disruption across the capital.

Winds gusting at 90 kilometres per hour also caused problems, as a large tree in Madrid's Retiro park was brought down during a thunderstorm. Authorities have placed some provinces on the second highest level of alert while the bad weather persists.

Storms in Lebanon have caused widespread damage across the country, according to a local newspaper.

The Daily Star reports on May 18th that crops have been damaged in the Chouf area, while small villages in the Bekaa Valley have been flooded.

One agricultural worker said this was the worst weather in almost 60 years and was putting their produce at risk.

The government is currently working to redirect waters in flooded areas, as some people are trapped in their homes and many roads have been rendered inaccessible.

Flash floods have killed four Israeli rock climbers in canyons around the Dead Sea, reports MSNBC on May 15th.

The incident happened in the West Bank, with the flash flood sweeping over a main portion of a highway.

Helicopters and medical officers launched searches across the area, following reports that 11 hikers had got stuck in the Qumran river bed in eastern Jerusalem, states news24.com.

Chemi Leib, rescue team member, described the floods to Channel One television: "It was an enormous amount of water, coming down in several falls of 40 to 50 meters (130-160 feet.

"These guys were hanging on their ropes and when that amount of water arrives there's no chance to survive it."

A passenger jet has landed safely after it was struck by lightning, reports the Associated Press on May 10th.

The Cyprus Airways jet was on route to Athens in Greece when it hit rough weather and was struck by a lightning bolt.

More than 100 passengers and seven crewmembers were on the flight, which was recalled to Larnaca Airport in Cyprus.

The Airbus 319 jet was called back for precautionary reasons to undergo safety checks, as the right engine had been struck by the thunderbolt.

Businesses in the Lebanese city of Beirut have welcomed an increase in temperatures over the weekend.

The country's Daily Star newspaper reports on May 8th that temperatures have remained constant at 35 degrees Celsius for the past two days.

This has led to an increase in customers at local restaurants and outdoor eateries, while the Place de L'Etoile was packed with young families playing out.

One restauranteur said that for the last two Sundays, there have been more than 100 customers making a purchase at lunchtime.

Other business owners interviewed by the newspaper also attributed the growth in business to the turn in the weather.

A tornado has struck a suburb in the south of Turkey, reports the Today's Zaman newspaper on May 2nd.

People in the Kadirli suburb of Osmaniye province had roofs ripped off their homes as high winds lashed the area.

Meanwhile, the extreme conditions also uprooted trees, power lines and knocked out telephone systems.

However, a local official was quoted as saying that there have not been any reported casualties or injuries.

One person has been killed after floods hit the Turkish city of Sirnak, according to a local news provider.

The Turkish Press reports on April 30th that the person who died was in Cizre when the flood waters struck.

Sources are quoted as saying that five other people who were caught in the water were later rescued.

Many homes and businesses have been damaged by the floods, prompting aid workers to send tents and blankets for the displaced people.

Heavy rain in Morocco has triggered floods in which four people have died, reports AFP News on April 23rd.

The news agency states that during the last three days, the north-eastern region of Nador has been hit by torrential rain.

According to local authorities, the resulting floods claimed the life of three middle school students after the valley of Amlah in Ain Zohra was overrun.

Meanwhile, a young girl was killed after the village of Zaio was also hit by the flood waters.

Officials in Morocco have warned that the country's agricultural output is likely to be less than half of what was produced last year.

Agriculture minister Mohand Laenser told Reuters on April 17th that drought conditions are likely to lead to a wheat harvest of between three and four million tonnes.

In 2006, farmers harvested a total of 9.3 million tonnes.

As a result, the government is having to subsidise imports to help cattle breeders deal with the prolonged dry spell.

However, Mr Laenser stated that limited rainfall in early April has helped refill reservoirs in some areas and boosted the growth of citrus fruit.

Up to 30 small farms in Spain have been damaged by a tornado in the country, according to reports.

The Typically Spanish website reports on April 10th that the tornado struck in the Poniente area of Almeria.

Meanwhile, 20 hectares of greenhouses in the El Ejido area were completely destroyed, while La Mojonera also sustained damage.

However, it is understood that the farmers who have been affected by the tornado will not be entitled to any form of financial support from local authorities.

The news provider states that many farmers neglected to apply for government subsidies for agricultural insurance.

Heavy snow in Spain has caused significant travel disruption in some areas, reports the Typically Spanish website.

The news provider states that in the province of Burgos, more than 1,000 lorries were trapped in the snow.

Meanwhile, heavy goods vehicles were not allowed to travel down the N1 road between Navarra and Vitoria.

Minor roads in the north of the country are also experiencing travel disruption, while many mountain passes on secondary roads have been closed.

In addition, authorities have warned that the high winds could prove to be problematic for some drivers.

Parts of Italy have continued to be lashed by snow, rain, hail and high winds, reports the Xinhua news agency.

A report on March 21st stated that the Alps and the Dolomites saw heavy snow for the second successive day.

Meanwhile, Florence and Sienna were affected by winds and rain which kept most tourists indoors for the day.

Visitors to Rome also looked for a safe haven as gale force winds blew over advertising boards and bent road signs.

In addition, the high winds have caused some disruption at Rome's Fiumicino airport, as some departing flights were grounded and incoming planes were barred from landing.

Several areas of Spain are experiencing disruption as a result of high winds, reports the Typically Spanish website on March 8th.

The site stated that more than 14,000 people lost power in the Basque area, where winds have driven fires that have broken out in Andalucia.

Meanwhile, another fire in Sierra de Mijas forced the temporary closure of a major road between Mijas and Benalmadena.

The fire broke out after the strong winds brought down a high tension cable.

Air travel has also been disrupted after winds damaged a platform at Alicante Airport, leading to six flights being diverted.

Spain is currently going through its worst ever drought, an expert has claimed.

Jose Maria Macias, president of the Tagus water basin, told Reuters on February 5th that Spain is now in its third year of a "terrible" water shortage.

He stated that reservoirs are now 12 per cent full, adding that storms in October and November have brought only partial relief to the area.

"The storms and rain were very abnormal this year," he continued.

"In the lower parts of the river basin it rained quite a lot but in the upper part it rained very little."

While Mr Macias expressed reluctance to attribute the drought to climate change, he warned water authorities in Spain to face up to the possibility.

Around 5,000 people had to be evacuated from an Israeli ski resort on Saturday 20th January due to severe weather.

The Haaretz newspaper reports that a snow blizzard broke out in the resort of Hermon, prompting staff to move people to safety.

Heavy fog also proved to be a hazard, although staff were able to escort people away in organised convoys of vehicles.

Hermon is the only ski resort in Israel, while weather conditions usually allow people to engage in various other winter sports such as sled-riding.

The resort remained closed on Sunday due to continued snowfall in the region.

Winds and rain have lashed across Turkey, causing massive travel disruption on December 27th.

Kuna news reports that local television stations are claiming that flights have been cancelled and road and maritime transport has been disrupted.

Flights between the capital of