Snow draws Europe to a standstill

Heavy snowfalls across Europe halted train and highway traffic, trapping thousands of travelers in cars or at snowbound stations and keeping others at home. "We haven't seen this much snow in 20 years," a Basque resident said of waist-deep drifts that destroyed up to 50 percent of the vegetable crop.

In southern West Germany, Bavarian temperatures fell to 8 degrees, but Alpine snow was reported firm. The avalanche danger was greater in Switzerland, where Geneva was hit by a record 8-inch snowfall.

In Madrid, thousands of commuters were unable to enter the city because of snowbound high ways.