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Severe Winter in Central and Eastern Europe

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February 2005• Snow and freezing temperatures since January 1st

have been causing increasing difficulties in daily life particularly affecting transport and infrastructure throughout central and Eastern Europe. As one newspaper put it, “The world between Kiev, Minsk, and Berlin is frozen.”

09:30, February 1st

• Several weather centers throughout the region predict a major snowstorm to blanket the area over the next 2 to 3 days, which is expected to drop from 60cm to a meter of fresh snow on the region.

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16:00, February 1st • Russian energy officials announce that, due to

severe stress on their power generating and distribution, it is necessary to curtail power exports by 50% to 60% over the next few weeks.

01:00, February 3rd • Heavy snows blanket the area. All major roads in

the region are blocked, with efforts to clear them delayed for at least 3 days.

09:00, February 3rd • Ministry of Agriculture officials in Minsk, Kiev, and

Chisinau report that large portions of their nation’s livestock population are in jeopardy from lack of fodder and the damage of freezing. Aircraft for dropping fodder to isolated herds are not adequate.

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15:00, February 3rd • Power blackouts are being reported with

increasing frequency throughout the area.

16:00, February 3rd • Weather centrals predict at least 48 hours of

snow throughout the region followed by at least a week of sub-zero weather.

17:00, February 3rd • All major east-west and north-south roads links

are closed. Thousands of long distance trucks are stalled along the highways, and intra-city transport is in danger of closing.

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09:00, February 4• Status reports from all 3 capitals summarize the

situation as follows:– The power supply and grid are, or are in

danger of, failing in most areas– Road links (inter and intra) are basically closed– Communications systems are beginning to fail

with the likelihood of repairs slim– Air travel with the region has halted– The entire agricultural structure is endangered – Food supplies in the cities are becoming

increasingly limited and the first deaths from cold weather exposure are being reported