TEHRAN — Heavy snow in autumn in the northwestern province of Ardebil has colored the whole province in white and closed schools for three days.

Thick snow and freezing weather has urged the province’s education department to close schools, particularly preschools and elementary schools, for three consecutive days on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Nasimonline reported.

Ardebil province’s meteorological organization director explained that in some areas such as Sareyn and Nir it snowed for more than 40 centimeters.

Ali Doulati-Mehr also pointed out that in a rare phenomenon snowfall was accompanied by lightning and thunder which had scared some of the citizens, Mehr news agency reported.

Such temperature drop and early snowfall is an indicator for a long and cold winter for the province.

MQ/MG