Photos from around the world show cities hit by record-setting snowstorms

Cities across the nation and the globe are facing blistering cold winters this year, with many seeing record-breaking snowfall.

From Tennessee to Athens, Greece, already freezing temperatures have plunged further this week as the polar vortex envelopes the northern hemisphere.

Within the past few weeks, Moscow, Chicago, Madrid and more have been blanketed with snow, in some cases reporting multiple feet of accumulation. The storms in the U.S. particularly ramped up over President’s Day weekend.

In Kansas City, residents have been hit with record-breaking low temperatures with -32 degree wind chill. Officials have called for those braving the cold to be sure to bundle up. And in Texas, millions are without power as the electric grid struggles to keep up during snow and ice storms

The snow has created dramatic scenes across the globe, with historic spots that rarely see snow getting a dusting and usually busy highways slowed to a stop. 

Here are just some photos of how the snow is piling up around the world:

Athens, Greece

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Athens was hit with a cold-weather front at the beginning of this week, coating the city streets with snow, according to the Greek City Times It’s a rare site to see the Mediterranean city covered in snow, with many sharing photos of the ancient Acropolis coated in the white stuff. 

The snow is expected to continue into Tuesday.

Moscow, Russia

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Heavy snowfall within Moscow, Russia, has brought life almost to a standstill for many. What some are calling a “snow apocalypse” has affected transportation both on the ground and in the air.

The city reported several flight delays as well as pedestrians struggling to travel as they also brave nearly 40 mph gusts of wind.

Nearly 22 inches of snow had accumulated in the city as of Saturday, according to Reuters, which also reported that the city set new daily snow records over the weekend.

Carrbridge, Scotland

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Scotland, which usually averages 15-20 snow days a year, has faced similar challenges with transportation as snow continues to build up on its streets. 

On Wednesday, meteorologists warned of plummeting temperatures and strong winds, disrupting travel across the region. Snowfall within the United Kingdom has reached nearly 20 inches, the BBC reported. The U.K. recorded its coldest temperature in 25 years in Braemar in Aberdeenshire on Wednesday.

Madrid, Spain

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The capital of Spain has faced its heaviest snowfall in nearly 50 years. A storm that hit southern and central regions of the country left three people dead, according to The New York Times.

The blizzards forced the closure of the Madrid-Barajas Airport and even suspended rail travel in some parts of the city.

Nashville, Tennesse

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Ice and sleet blanketed Tennessee on Monday, with many areas in the state seeing two inches or more of accumulation. Memphis reported over 7 inches of snow and sleet that same day.

Snow, freezing rain and more sleet are expected in the area on Wednesday, according to the Tennessean.

Seattle, Washington

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Seattle broke a decades-long record this weekend, with the state reporting nearly 8.9 inches of snow on Saturday. The heavy snowfall marked the region’s 12th largest in a single day since 1894, KOMONews reported.

One 90-year-old woman over the weekend reported that she walked six miles in the snow so that she could get her COVID-19 vaccination. 

Chicago, Illinois

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More than 18 inches of snow covered the city of Chicago on Saturday. The city has experienced more snow in the last three weeks than it usually sees in an entire winter, according to The Chicago Tribune.