11 minutes ago! Historic snow storm in Greece! 20,000 schools and kindergartens urgently closed!

A winter storm brought snow to the Greek capital Athens, closing schools, kindergartens and courts and disrupting traffic and power supplies.

The government has advised people to avoid non-essential travel and work from home whenever possible to avoid the chaos caused by last winter's heavy snowfall, for which authorities have been heavily criticized.

The storm, named Barbara by Greek meteorologists, reached Athens yesterday afternoon after sweeping across northern Greece and the islands in the northern Aegean.
Authorities have reopened roads to Athens International Airport, 30 km from the center, and the main artery connecting the city to Lamia in central Greece after being closed for several hours this morning.

The National Civil Protection Service has warned that heavy snowfall is expected in the Attica region around Athens, which is unaccustomed to harsh winters.
About 3,500 people were stuck in their cars on the Athens ring road and more than 200,000 homes and businesses were left without power.

Strong winds and a cold snap in Greece halted ferry and highway traffic, and the Acropolis and other ancient monuments in Athens were covered in snow on Monday.

Inclement weather prompted the authorities in greater Athens to close schools and courthouses and suspend debates in parliament. Mobile phone alerts sent by the authorities to residents of the capital urged the population to stay at home.

The severe weather that has gripped southern Greece will mainly affect areas north of the capital and the nearby island of Evia, the agency said, and is expected to last until Wednesday.