While science and common sense may have all the answers you’ll ever need to explain snow, it’s still undeniable: much like with rainbows, starry skies and Christmas, there’s something magical about snow. Even more so when it falls in places that see it rarely.

For weeks, the Greek mountains, where it often snows, have been dressed in thick layers of brilliant white. On Sunday and Monday, as the “Elpis” weather front brought temperatures below freezing in many parts of the country, the air in Athens and on the islands also filled with light, dancing flakes. Authorities closed schools and warned the public to limit their movements outdoors to the essential, and kids pressed their noses to the windows, as the snow fell faster and thicker, transforming landscapes into scenes Greeks see once a year at most.

Roads were closed, the army was deployed to rescue motorists stuck on the highway Attiki Odos in Athens, and the government announced that Tuesday is to be considered a holiday for all workers in both private and public sectors. Meanwhile, before the dark fell on Monday, many were still lured outside to live and photograph the magic of the moment. Below are some of our favorite images of Athens and the Greek islands dressed in white from the last 24 hours.

Athens

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dimitris Tzankatian  (@d.tzankatian)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Stefanos | Greece (@stef_greece)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by George Maschalidis (@giwrgosmasx)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by thomas gravanis (@storiesbysomeone)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by AlexT (@chicumita)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Zorbabook.com (@zorbabook)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Costas Spathis (@spathumpa)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nikoletta Ralli (@nikolettaralli)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Odysseas Kodoukas (@odysseaskns)

Islands

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Claudio Colaneri (@cycladeseveryday)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Etoile De Mer (@etoiledemervilla)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛ ɢʀᴇᴇᴄᴇ 🇬🇷 (@perfect_greece)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chez Carolou Sifnos (@chez_carolou)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by O Lofos Luxury Boutique Suites (@o_lofos)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Paramano.gr (@paramano.gr)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mykonos Divino Villas (@mykonosdivino)