Snow and ice ground flights and choke highways in parts of Europe

"SCHIPHOL, Netherlands More than 1,000 stranded passengers spent the night at Amsterdam's international airport as snow and ice that is pummeling parts of Europe grounded hundreds of flights and choked highways and railroads Wednesday. In Paris, a skier slid along the snowy bank of the Seine river and roads and parks around the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were blanketed in snow, which also snarled traffic in parts of France."

"Schiphol Airport, on the outskirts of Amsterdam, set up hundreds of field beds overnight and served breakfast to weary travelers as staff worked to clear snow from runways and deice airplanes. At least 800 flights were canceled Wednesday at the airport, one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs. Sonja Wurmlingel, trying to make her way home to Argentina, had to endure repeated disappointments and still was not sure how she would get back."

Widespread snow and ice across parts of Europe grounded hundreds of flights and clogged highways and railroads, leaving more than 1,000 passengers stranded overnight at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Schiphol set up field beds, served breakfast and worked to clear runways and deice aircraft while at least 800 flights were canceled. Passengers faced repeated cancellations and reroutes, with some trains unavailable. National airline KLM reported fewer lines as many travelers were warned in advance. Dutch rail and road networks were hard hit, and rail operator NS urged travelers to delay journeys. Snow also blanketed Paris landmarks and snarled traffic, while Berlin saw power restoration after a suspected attack left households without electricity in freezing temperatures.

Read at www.npr.org