Weather will remain cold across most of Romania until Christmas Eve, when it will warm slightly and stay so until New Years Eve, Environment minister Attila Korodi announced on Tuesday. Once New Year comes, temperatures will drop again across the country with a strong possibility of snow, according to meteorologists.

Temperatures will be low enough for snow only in central and northern Romania on Christmas, Korodi said. He said snow forecasts for the New Years Eve will be valid for most of January 2008 as well.

According to Ion Sandu, head of the National Meteorology Agency, Romania expects normal winter months with no long periods of extreme temperatures. He also said the country should expect the year of 2008 to lack drought or heavy rains. He said only a small risk of floods would now be considered along small rivers and creeks in late spring 2008.