Prague's first heavy snowfall of the season leads to slow traffic, snowmen

Prague woke up to heavy snow this morning. Even the streets and sidewalks in the city center were blanketed by the first cover of continuous snowfall of the current winter season.

Snowy conditions throughout Prague and Central Bohemia led to slippery surfaces for pedestrians and diminished visibility for drivers in the Czech capital -- as well as the first wave of cross-country skiers and snowmen. How long will the winter-wonderland conditions last?

From early this morning, the Technical Administration of Roads (TSK), which provides winter maintenance in Prague, reported sending out vehicles to clear streets and sidewalks. Buses in particular faced problems clearing hills. Some areas of the western outskirts of the city were reported impassable by drivers.

TSK officials wrote on Twitter: "Beautifully snowy Prague conjured up many joys and smiles, however, for us this year means the first intense winter cleaning in Prague. So right now we have 73 snowplows in the streets."

Road workers primarily focus on access roads to schools, medical and social facilities or office buildings. It also clears snow from public transport stops, roads to metro stations, and train and bus stations.

Prague public transit authority reported a delay on some suburban bus lines as well as cancelations. Police throughout the entire region recorded a larger number of skidding accidents, mostly without injuries, according to Prague Integrated Transport (PID).

Currently, TSK reports, "Main roads are passable, only in some places are there remnants of wet melting snow." No major accidents were reported in the streets of the capital yet and public transport timetables were restored.

As cross-country skiers have already set out across the capital and snowmen are starting to appear, how long will the wintry conditions last? According to meteorologists, it will be cloudy on Sunday night with mixed precipitation of rain and snow expected. Snow could reappear at the beginning of next week.