Deep freeze hits Switzerland

Freezing temperatures are gripping Switzerland. Overnight lows plunged deep into the double digits below zero in several regions.

The coldest reading came from La Brévine, in canton Neuchâtel, where temperatures dropped to minus 30 - living up to the town’s nickname of the Siberia of Switzerland. 

Even colder air was recorded on alpine peaks in eastern parts of the country. 

Meteorologists say lingering fog has masked the cold so far, but clearer skies mean sharper freezes ahead. 

Major cities haven’t escaped the cold – Geneva reached minus 9 last night, Zurich at minus 8, Sion, minus 10.

The cold even spread to the south of the Alps, Lugano was down at minus 5.

Snow and strong winds are expected later this week, with officials urging caution as conditions rapidly change.

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