Tower closed as US and France share chills

THE EIFFEL Tower has been closed and authorities are telling drivers in the Paris region to stay at home as snow and freezing rain hit northern France.

The company that manages France’s most-visited monument said the 19th-century Eiffel Tower would be closed all day yesterday and today “to ensure the security of visitors”.

Workers with hand shovels were carefully clearing snow from the intricate ironwork and de-icing stairs and platforms. The company said it can not use salt because it could corrode the metal and damage the elevators.

Heavy snowfall earlier this week trapped hundreds of drivers in cars and caused the worst ever traffic jams in the Paris region.

More snow was forecast and authorities are warning of dangerous conditions in about a quarter of the country.

Across the Atlantic, a winter storm moving across the Great Lakes, which was forecast to drop about a foot of snow in some areas, has created treacherous driving conditions, closed schools and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

The US National Weather Service issued winter weather warnings and advised people against travel.

Skids and crashes were reported on the roads in the Chicago and Detroit areas and About 730 flights were cancelled at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and about 265 flights were cancelled at Midway, the Chicago Department of Aviation reported. More than 200 flights were cancelled at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

American, United, Delta and Southwest airlines warned travellers to expect more flight cancellations.

Meteorologist Heather Orow, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said the storm is “generally going to be an issue for travel”. People should stay off the roads if possible.