A few inches of snow and wintry conditions prompted military officials in Vicenza, Italy, to tell all non-emergency personnel to stay home Wednesday.

Base personnel were issued an alert from U.S. Army Garrison-Vicenza in the morning. School buses that had already picked up students reportedly returned them to their homes.

The 21st Operational Weather Squadron in Sembach, Germany, also received reports of 4 inches of snow falling at the Italian air base in Ghedi, west of Vicenza, where a small number of U.S. personnel are stationed.

Maj. Ryan Dillon, public affairs officer for the Southern European Task Force, said rain had replaced snow by the middle of the day in Vicenza, but forecasts called for more snow into the evening. He said the combination of snow, rain and freezing temperatures had made road conditions hazardous.

Snowfall was reported in many cities across northern Italy, according to various Italian news agencies. But there was only rain reported at Camp Darby through midday and no precipitation at all at Aviano Air Base by noon. Operations were not affected at either base.

Up north, thermometers reached 0 degrees Fahrenheit in some parts of Germany, but a cold front heading through should see the temperatures rising somewhat, according to Master Sgt. Robert Yancey of the 21st OWS. He said that front could bring some precipitation to that area over the next few days.

In England, motorists were warned to take care on the roads after temperatures plunged to 10 F overnight, the BBC reported.

The cold snap in England of the past eight days is set to last into the weekend, according to the BBC weather center.

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