Albeit predicted by weather forecasters, the snow hit the country before the 15 November when winter gear becomes obligatory for vehicles and before trees shed their leaves.

Adding to the tricky road conditions in the western Primorsko region is the bora wind with gusts of up to 150 kilometres an hour leading to the section of the expressway between Selo and Nanos being closed to coaches and heavy vehicles.

Skid chains or winter gear are obligatory on mountain road passes.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and high tide have been causing disruption at the coast, flooding houses and causing land slides. The Koper port is all but closed due to strong winds.

By the evening between ten and 25 centimetres of snow is expected to fall above the altitudes of 500 metres, while the snow blanket on low ground is expected to reach less than ten centimetres.