SARAJEVO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Extremely snowy weather, followed by wind gusts, has been impeding the traffic in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) for last days, the Federal Institute for Hydrometeorology (FHMZ) said Tuesday.

The cold snap from the north has hit the whole area of BiH, accompanied by heavy snow, strong wind and sub-zero temperatures, has caused havoc on highways and roads.

BiH Automoto Club (BIHAMK) warned that, due to snow and ice, driving is difficult on the majority of roads in BiH, and especially in the mountainous roads. The most severe situation was recorded around cities of Bihac and Bosanski Petrovac, some 300 km northwest of the capital Sarajevo, where strong wind causes snowdrifts.

Drivers are advised to drive with maximum caution and not go on journey without winter equipment, which is legally required for all categories of vehicles, BIHAMK adds.

Apart from impeding the traffic, the dense snow in area around Bihac, northwest BiH had brought numerous problems to citizens that were left without electricity for one day. The cities of Cazin and Velika Kladusa were left without electricity, local media reported.

Due to the extremely high level of snow in Bihac, 107 cm, the Ministry of Education of the Una-Sana Canton has issued a decision suspending primary and secondary teaching.

FHMZ on Tuesday issued an orange alert for the whole area of BiH on new snowfalls and low temperatures until March 1. Authorities warned of very low morning temperatures ranging from minus 17 to minus 10 degrees Celsius, and up to minus 20 in the mountainous areas.