Two people froze to death in Moscow Thursday as snow storms, icy winds and transport troubles signalled the long-awaited arrival of winter, ending an exceptionally mild stretch of weather in Russia. "Full-fledged winter has arrived in the European part of Russia," Roman Vilfand, director of the state Meteorological Centre, said. The two deaths in the Russian capital were from hypothermia, while eight others were hospitalised over the past 24 hours, Russian news agencies reported, citing the health services.

Temperatures of about minus 10 Celsius (14 Fahrenheit) accompanied a thick snowfall over Moscow. Gusty winds filled the air with ice crystals.

On the roads, traffic slowed to a standstill, while 16 flights to the capital's Vnukovo airport and two bound for nearby Domededovo Airport were diverted, Interfax news agency reported.

Moscow traffic police spokesman Igor Koloskov said there had been 1,650 minor traffic accidents since Wednesday, up from the usual level of about 1,000-1,200 a day.

"The situation in the city is complicated as many people did not heed our advice to use public transport," Koloskov said. "There is ice on many roads and snow clearing will take the priority over everything else."

Temperatures in Moscow were forecast to range Thursday from minus nine Celsius to minus 14 (16 to seven Fahrenheit), dipping as low as minus 20 Celsius (minus four Fahrenheit) later in the week.

The change in weather came as a relief to many in Russia, which usually experiences freezing temperatures as early as October with heavy snowfalls by late November.

Until this week in the European part of Russia weather had been so mild that many days resembled spring, with birds singing and people wearing light clothing. Medical experts said the absence of crisp cold days and gleaming snow was contributing to depression among Russians.

Winter arrived more on time in the eastern parts of Russia, although less severe than usual. In the northeastern district of Chukotka polar bears were unable to take their usual migration routes because of insufficiently thick Arctic ice.

Vilfand said temperatures in the east were also now forecast to fall.

earlier related report

Seven dead in snow in Germany

Berlin (AFP) Jan 25 – Seven people including a seven-year-old girl died as snow and ice blanketed parts of Germany, authorities said on Thursday. The girl was playing with her sister on a frozen pond in the eastern town of Bruegge when the ice cracked and she slipped into the water.

Firefighters called to the scene pulled both girls from the water and managed to bring the younger one back to life, but the other died of hypothermia. The incident took place on Tuesday, but was only revealed on Thursday.

The other deaths occurred in accidents on icy roads covered by up to 30 centimetres (12 inches) of snow which fell overnight Tuesday.

A man was killed in Seesen in the north when his vehicle skidded on black ice and careered off the road and a lorry driver died when his truck skidded across the road near Luebeck.

A man in the eastern town of Werder died after skidding on black ice and colliding with a street lamp.

Three others died in road accidents on Wednesday.

Around 600 passengers were forced to spend the night on campbeds in Munich airport after around 350 flights were grounded on Wednesday because of heavy snow.

Most of the passengers were able to complete their journeys on Thursday, an airport spokeswoman said.

Rail traffic remained disrupted in the south of the country and in the eastern state of Thuringia.

The snow also reached the capital, Berlin, overnight Wednesday although only a light covering fell.

Source: Agence France-Presse