Freezing temperatures beneath sunny skies greeted residents of northern Greece on Saturday, whereas snow flurries were falling in Athens up until the early afternoon.

Temperatures as low as -5C caused many roadways in northern Greece to freeze, while motorists in mountainous regions were advised to use snow tires. The lowest temperatures were recorded in the western Macedonia region, with Florina and Kozani showing a -5C reading.

The first real cold front of the season was also felt as far south as Crete, with significant amounts of snow falling on the large island's peaks, causing at least several provincial roadways to close in the highlands. (ANA-MPA)

Four hikers were reportedly cut-off in the mountainous village of Mylopotamos in Crete's Rethymno prefecture, near a ski resort.  A rescue team was heading to the site with a half-track vehicle.

In Athens, meanwhile, the main road leading to Mount Parnitha, which overlooks Athens from the northwest, was closed from the funicular station and up.

Coastal shipping was also plagued by up to 8 on the Beaufort scale seas in the Aegean.

Caption: Snow covered much of Mt. Hymettus, looking over Athens from the east, on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010.