An Arctic blast has brought unprecedented cold temperatures and heavy snowfall to parts of Europe, while southern regions grapple with deadly storms and severe flooding. The contrasting weather patterns have wreaked havoc across the continent, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

In northern Sweden, the village of Kvikkjokk-Årrenjarka registered a bone-chilling temperature of -43.6 degrees Celsius (-46.4 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, marking the lowest temperature ever recorded since 1887. The relentless snowfall has caused chaos on the roads, leaving stranded motorists and leading to rescue operations to evacuate hundreds of people trapped in their vehicles.

Northern Finland has also endured extreme cold, witnessing temperatures as low as -42.4 degrees Celsius (-44.3 Fahrenheit) in the municipality of Enontekiö. Unfortunately, this frigid weather has had tragic consequences, as a woman was found dead after being caught in a blizzard while skiing, and her child remains missing.

Scandinavia has been in the grip of freezing temperatures since December, with Norway experiencing average temperatures 2.3 degrees below normal and Sweden and Finland facing temperatures up to 6 degrees below average in certain regions.

The Arctic conditions have had a surprising effect on the Bothnian Bay, situated between Sweden and Finland, which has completely frozen over earlier than usual this winter. Mika Ratanen, a researcher at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, suggests that this might be the best ice situation in the Baltic Sea in many years.

While northern Europe battles subzero temperatures, southern regions are grappling with a different kind of extreme weather. Storm Henk has swept through the United Kingdom, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Southern England, in particular, has been hit hard, with hundreds of flood warnings in place.

Tragically, Storm Henk claimed a life when a man was killed after a tree fell onto his car in Gloucestershire, southwest England. More rainfall is predicted for southern England, raising concerns of further flooding due to saturated ground.

The effects of the storm were also felt in northern France, where intense flooding resulted in power outages and over 370 evacuations. The Pas-de-Calais department is currently under a "red alert" for flooding, with several other departments on high alert.

These extreme weather events are occurring against the backdrop of climate change, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels. The warming Earth's atmosphere has the capacity to hold more water vapor, resulting in intensified rainfall and an increased risk of destructive flooding.

As the cold temperatures persist in Scandinavia and the flooding threats continue in southern Europe, authorities are urging residents to stay safe, remain vigilant, and follow guidance from local weather services. Efforts to mitigate and adapt to these extreme weather events remain crucial in the face of a changing climate.