A rare snow storm in Rome on Monday disrupted transport, shut down schools and prompted authorities to call in the army to help clear the streets. Pictured, the Colosseum
Residents woke to the city's first snowfall in six years on Monday as chilling winds from Siberia swept across Europe, bringing freezing temperatures that have claimed at least four lives.
The Italian capital's first snowfall since February 2012 saw about three to four centimetres settling on the ground on Sunday.
Schools were closed in the city on Monday as local authorities opened several train stations as emergency shelters for the homeless.
Residents woke to the city's first snowfall in six years on Monday as chilling winds from Siberia swept across Europe,
The 'Beast from the East', as the phenomenon has been dubbed, is expected to bring cold air from Russia over the next few days that will make it feel even chillier than thermometers indicate.
Rome's Mediterranean climate and proximity to the sea usually result in mild winters, such that restaurants often keep outdoor seating open even through the coldest months of the year.
Therefore, Monday morning's snowfall - though not huge in quantity - brought excited young Romans out for a rare snowball fight or walk in the slush.
The city, which is not equipped to deal with snow emergencies due to their rarity, asked other areas to send in snow ploughs to help clear roads.
A view of Rome's snow-capped skyline, with the Monument of the Unknown Soldier seen at right, after snowfall on Monday
RAI state radio also announced that the civil protection agency was rounding up its volunteer corps on Monday to help commuters stranded at railway stations.
Schools were ordered closed in the Italian capital, where many people could not reach their places of work. Police asked residents to stay at home if possible.
Mayor Virginia Raggi had signed an ordinance on Sunday evening closing public schools as a precaution, and many private ones followed suit.
Piazza del Popolo (The People's Square) in Rome is seen covered in snow after much of Europe was hit by bitterly cold weather
The residents of Rome are seen in front of the Spanish Steps to enjoy the unusual weather in the Italian capital
Italian aviation officials said Ryanair, which uses Ciampino as it Italian hub, had decided to cancel all flights to and from the airport. But they said most of Italy's other main airports were open despite delays to some flights.
Piazza Venezia, Rome's central square which is usually a cacophony of car horns and a tangle of traffic, was eerily empty, quiet and white as dawn broke.
Parks which usually stay green throughout the winter were blanketed with snow, giving eager sledgers rare snow runs.
In St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, priests and seminarians threw snowballs at each other.
A young priest throws a snowball at others in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after Rome woke to several inches of snow
The Fori Imperiali, once the centre of the Roman Empire, is seen covered by snow in Rome on Monday morning
Elsewhere in much of northern and central Italy, the storm also closed schools and disrupted transport.
Local police patrol in front of St. Peters Basilica after the square in the Vatican was covered by snow on Monday
