BUCHAREST, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Romania's National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued multiple Yellow and Orange weather warnings on Sunday for widespread snowfall, icy conditions and strong winds, affecting most parts of the country through Tuesday morning.
A Yellow Code warning for snowfall is in effect from 10:00 a.m. Sunday until 10:00 a.m. Monday across Banat, much of Transylvania, parts of Oltenia and mountainous regions. Snow accumulation of 10 to 25 centimeters is expected, with heavier snowfall at higher elevations. In mountainous areas, wind speeds may reach 70 to 85 km per hour, causing drifting snow and reduced visibility.
At the same time, an Orange Code warning applies to mountainous areas in Caras-Severin, Mehedinti, Gorj and Hunedoara counties, where heavy snowfall of up to 30 centimeters and wind gusts of 80 to 90 km per hour could lead to blizzard conditions.
ANM classifies weather alerts into three risk levels - yellow, orange and red - indicating increasing severity from potential risk to extreme danger.
From Monday morning until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, additional snowfall, sleet and mixed precipitation are expected across most mountainous regions, increasing the risk of icy conditions and hazardous travel, particularly in central and northern Romania. Mountain areas could receive an additional 20 to 30 centimeters of snow.
ANM said unsettled weather is expected to persist nationwide through Jan. 9, with locally significant precipitation.
Separately, Romania's National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management issued a Yellow Code flood warning for Monday and Tuesday, affecting rivers in five counties due to increased runoff from precipitation and snowmelt. ■
