Eiffel on ice, rest of Europe in icy grip and the lights may go out...

6 European countries are already reporting gas shortages, while Russian supplier Gasprom and the Ukraine bicker about supply and price. According to TheOilDrum gas supply has peaked in Europe, which means each year the struggle to heat homes and stay warm, even cook food, will be a greater and greater question in more and more households across Europe. Not good.

clipped from www.msnbc.msn.com clipped from www.msnbc.msn.com Up to four inches of snow was recorded in parts of France, the national weather service said. Most areas, including Paris, got around half that amount. French authorities issued traffic alerts in around 30 regions because of icy roads. The Eiffel Tower, one of Paris' main tourist attractions, was closed because of slippery conditions. "We can't put down salt because it's metallic," Eiffel Tower press officer Isabelle Esnous said. "We can't use sand either ... because it risks getting into the elevator (cogs)." In Germany, heavy snowfall snarled road traffic and flight delays and cancellations at the country's international airports. Snow also fell across Britain. Children built snowmen in parts of England, including Cambridge. Check weather and forecasts around the world