Snow storms and strong winds have been sweeping across central and eastern Europe.br br Areas of Austria and Serbia have been hit with unusually heavy snow bringing chaos and misery.br br Southern Austria, close to the Italian border, has been blanketed by snow flurries over the last 48 hours, leaving cars and trains stranded.br br The snowfall was so heavy in parts the army has been called in to help clear blocked roads and bridges.br br (SOUNDBITE) (German) ARMY LIAISON OFFICER FOR HERMAGOR DISTRICT IN CARINTHIA, COLONEL ERWIN HUBMAN, SAYING:br br "Half an hour ago the first 80 soldiers arrived from Spittal, you can see them unpacking their gear behind me. They will be assigned to clear public buildings from snow."br br Some areas had as much as one and a half metres of snow, disrupting travel and cutting off communication links.