Switzerland - Geneva - Versoix Lake
Ice Sculpture
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Siberian cold front has reached Switzerland at the end of January 2012. In other countries like Germany, it started early and middle of January.
The cold air mass from south Siberia with temperature from - 10 to - 30 degrees turned the lake waters to frozen snow. In italy paricularly the Venice canals and the Canal Grande where some frozen water areas can be observed. In Serbian with 7 to 8 meters snow blocking the streets, people are isolated and trapped in remote areas, no private vehicles running, only public buses are operating, some railways are blocked, frozen gas pipes, people in the streets froze to death, snow slides and snow storms, airports are closed, icy roads have been experienced by some European countries like Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Ukraine etc.
In Switzerland we are experiencing the coldest freezing winter weather, some days with heavy snow fall, rain and storm wirh daily temperature of - 8 to 11 degrees and at night almost - 25 to - 30 degrees to some areas.
The first time i had come across this Siberian cold front. It was in January 12, 1987 when the lowest temperature reaches at - 41.8 degrees in La Brévine with almost the same air mass we have now.
Several precautions have been made by the Swiss government preparing some additional shelter for the homeless because of the danger freezing temperature which cause more deaths in some European countries. High alert on the Swiss Federal Railways by hiring additional employees to clean snow from the rail station platforms and ice formation in the tunnels. The runway on the airports are well prepared for de-icing to prevent major delays.
To some countries which are unprepared for the Siberian cold front have more difficulties and crises to survive against this freezing temperature like Serbia and nearby countries.
We are having a normal daily living environment inspite of this unusual cold weather compared to other countries.
The children going to school, the employees continue their routine daily working hours, some people enjoying ice skating on the lakes.
Ice Sculpture
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An Afternoon Siberian Weather Walk in Versoix
Sunday, February 12, 2012, my family decided to take an afternoon walk in Versoix along the lake Geneva prominade.
My husband, daughter and son heard about the news of the spectacular natural ice sculptures along Versoix lake prominade caused by Siberian cold front, the cold air mass has swept the lake waters along the shore and marina causing the swept water to froze.
The weather was cold with a freezing temperature and with the sunrays we had -5 degrees as we walk along the lake and marina prominade. With the cold winds the temperature was about -10 degrees,
It was an enjoyable walk as we admired the different beautiful natural ice sculptures.
We spent half an hour warming ourselves with a cup of coffee, tee and milk chocolate in the restaurant by the lake.
A beautiful enjoyable afternoon walk.
