The climate watch advisory was issued by the World Meteorological Organisation and Regional Climate Centre warning of a period of “significantly below-normal temperatures (cold spell) at least for this and the next 2-3 weeks” from Spain to Greece and from Ireland to Russia.

The announcement warns that the coldest days are expected next week when the mercury is expected to dip between -3°C and -6°C and further in parts of southern, western and northern Europe.

Western Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland can expect temperatures to drop as low as -10°C. “This cold period with surface frost could freeze the developing crops and fruits and could be a risk of life for vulnerable people exposed to the cold,” the warning reads.