Snow, icy weather sweep Britain, stranding drivers and leaving homes without power

A man clears the street during snowfall in Wiesbaden, Germany, Saturday Dec. 27, 2014. Weather forecasts predict colder temperatures and snowfall for Germany. (AP Photo/dpa, Arne Dedert) (The Associated Press)

A man makes his way through the snow in Stuttgart, southern Germany, Saturday Dec. 27, 2014. Weather forecasts predict colder temperatures and snowfall in Germany. (AP Photo/dpa, Daniel Naupold) (The Associated Press)

Flower vendor Eda Erkol waits for clients during snowfall at the weekly open-air market in Wiesbaden, Germany Saturday Dec. 27, 2014.Weather forecasts predict colder temperatures and snowfall for Germany. (AP Photo/dpa, Arne Dedert) (The Associated Press)

Snow and icy weather have swept through parts of Britain, stranding drivers and leaving thousands of homes without power.

Snow also covered parts of Switzerland and southwestern Germany on Saturday, and up to 40 centimeters (nearly 16 inches) of snowfall was predicted in higher parts of Germany's Black Forest.

Many motorists in Britain were forced to abandon their cars or were trapped in vehicles after becoming snowed in. Dozens of people traveling from Sheffield to London spent the night in a church after their bus became stuck.

Parts of northern England saw 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) of snow. Western Power Distribution said 36,000 customers were without power.

Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Leeds Bradford International closed late Friday as workers cleared snow from the runways. The airports have reopened.