Workers clear snow at the airport in Dusseldorf, Germany. Travel all over Europe was affected by snow and record low temperatures. (Martin Meissner/Associated Press)

Snowstorms are wreaking havoc with Christmas travel plans across Europe, as well as the U.S. Midwest, Saskatchewan and parts of Quebec and New Brunswick.

In Italy, snow and cold shut down the Milan airport, halted trains and disrupted traffic in the north of the country. Flights were also cancelled in Rome, Genoa and Turin.

Frigid temperatures were blamed for at least four people freezing to death in Austria, Germany and France.

Much of Britain was bracing for more snow and below-freezing temperatures Wednesday, adversely affecting driving, rail traffic and flights.

In Ireland, freezing fog and black ice created havoc on the roads and police warned motorists to avoid driving if possible.

In the U.S., a fast-moving storm system was forecast to dump heavy snow on parts of Colorado and Utah by midday Wednesday and reach South Dakota and neighbouring states by Christmas Day.

The outlook was better for the East Coast — hard hit by a weekend storm — with mainly sunny skies and warmer temperatures expected through Dec. 25, followed by rain in some areas.

In Canada, snowfall warnings were in effect Tuesday night for much of Saskatchewan, eastern Quebec and parts of New Brunswick, including Fredericton.

Weather improves near Christmas

However, the forecast is brighter for travellers in most parts of the country as Christmas draws nearer.

For Thursday and Friday, sunny or partly cloudy weather is expected in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Regina, along with moderate temperatures.

Winnipeg and northwestern Ontario will get snow, with five to 15 centimetres forecast for both days.

Southern Ontario can expect a mixture of rain and snow from Thursday through Saturday, with evening temperatures hovering around freezing.

Mainly sunny weather is forecast for eastern Ontario, Montreal and Quebec City until Friday, followed by up to 15 centimetres of snow.

Moncton, Halifax and P.E.I. should get some snow, possibly mixed with rain, on Wednesday night, but that's expected to change to flurries and variable cloudiness through Saturday.

The forecast for St. John's is freezing drizzle on Thursday, a few flurries Friday and Saturday, with temperatures around the freezing mark.

With files from The Associated Press