In pictures: Nordic states gripped by winter freeze
Nordic countries have recorded their coldest temperatures of the winter, with areas of Sweden and Finland dropping to as low as -40C this week. Here we select some of the most striking photos of the winter freeze.
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The Nordic states are used to cold winters but in Sweden it is rare for temperatures to plummet below -40C
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Sweden's far north is seeing some of its iciest temperatures for years - here in Vittangi temperatures have dropped as low as -30C
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A few joggers in the capital Stockholm have braved the snow and wind
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This man was not prepared to give up his swim in Helsinki, although some places in Finland have recorded their lowest winter temperatures
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A man walks on the frozen sea in Helsinki
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Heavy snowfall has blanketed parts of southern Norway since New Year's Day. Here people remove snow from a car in Kristiansand
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Some parts of eastern Denmark could see up to 70cm (26 inches) of snow by Thursday. These cyclists defied a snowstorm in Aalborg
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In several parts of Denmark, including Jutland, police have urged the public to avoid the roads if possible
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Buses continued to operate in the Danish town of Randers but the armed forces were deployed in the region to help emergency services
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