Ice skaters take to Amsterdam's canals during Europe's big freeze
The freezing conditions gripping Europe have produced one unexpected upside: parts of Amsterdam’s canals have frozen over, allowing locals to ice skate on the waterways.
For the first time in about six years, part of the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht canals froze hard enough to support the weight of dozens of sightseers, locals and ice skaters.
Footage from the canals shows people on skates criss-crossing the ice while others stroll along enjoying the novelty of walking on what is normally flowing water.
However, the unusual conditions did snare two skaters who took to the ice on Thursday when it was not quite thick enough. According to local media, the pair fell through the ice and were rescued by passersby.
Elsewhere, Europe’s deep freeze continued to wreak havoc on Saturday. After heavy snowfall and deadly blizzards, conditions marginally improved in some regions on Friday – although temperatures generally remained sub-zero, forcing more major delays on roads, railways and at airports.
In Britain, the Met Office said the Arctic temperatures were set to rise. “After the extreme weather many of us have seen recently many will see conditions ease a little through the next few days,” it said.
In France, the forecast this weekend was for rain rather than the kind of heavy snowfall that has blanketed vast tracts of Europe.
For the first time in about six years, part of the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht canals froze hard enough to support the weight of dozens of sightseers, locals and ice skaters.
Footage from the canals shows people on skates criss-crossing the ice while others stroll along enjoying the novelty of walking on what is normally flowing water.
However, the unusual conditions did snare two skaters who took to the ice on Thursday when it was not quite thick enough. According to local media, the pair fell through the ice and were rescued by passersby.
Elsewhere, Europe’s deep freeze continued to wreak havoc on Saturday. After heavy snowfall and deadly blizzards, conditions marginally improved in some regions on Friday – although temperatures generally remained sub-zero, forcing more major delays on roads, railways and at airports.
In Britain, the Met Office said the Arctic temperatures were set to rise. “After the extreme weather many of us have seen recently many will see conditions ease a little through the next few days,” it said.
In France, the forecast this weekend was for rain rather than the kind of heavy snowfall that has blanketed vast tracts of Europe.
Source: theguardian
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